Sometimes I think back to how all of this started… and it still feels a bit unreal.
Just one year ago, VivaView Real Estate was an idea that lived mostly between conversations, site visits, and long days under the Saranda sun. No big offices. No big statements. Just work. Real work. Showing properties, understanding clients, building trust slowly.
And now—one year later—we’re opening in Tirana.
Not just opening. Expanding with intention.
Because something is changing in Albania’s property market. And I truly believe we’re right in the middle of it.
One Year of VivaView — More Than Just Numbers
I don’t usually like talking about numbers first. Real estate, at least the way I see it, is more about people than statistics.
But still… some numbers deserve to be said.
In just 12 months, we’ve reached over €8.9 million in property sales value.
We’ve completed 37+ property deals, working with both foreign investors and Albanian buyers.
And every single one of those deals has a story behind it.
I remember one client—he came in thinking he would just “have a look.” Classic phrase. We met near the promenade, grabbed a quick coffee (as we always do here), and then went to see a couple of seaview apartments just above the main road. Nothing too fancy on paper.
But the second we opened the balcony door, there was that breeze. You know the one if you’ve spent time in Saranda—it carries salt, heat, and something else… something calm.
He didn’t say much. Just walked outside, leaned on the railing, and stayed there longer than expected.
A week later, he bought it.
That’s how most decisions happen here, honestly. Not always logical. But very real.
Saranda Still Has Something Special
Even now, after years in this market, I still get that feeling sometimes.
Especially early mornings. Around 7:30, when the city is quiet, and the only sounds come from the sea and maybe a café opening somewhere near Limani. There’s a small bakery near Rruga Skënderbeu that most tourists walk past without noticing—but locals know it. Warm bread, simple coffee, nothing fancy. I’ve met clients there before viewings more times than I can count.
This is the side of Saranda people don’t always see online.
And it matters.
Because when we talk about Saranda apartments for sale, or beachfront property, or even affordable properties compared to the rest of the Mediterranean—we’re not just talking about numbers.
We’re talking about a lifestyle that’s still… a bit untouched.
I truly believe Saranda offers some of the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast right now. And not just because of price. Because of timing.
It’s still early here. And that window doesn’t stay open forever.
So Why Tirana?
This is the question everyone has been asking me recently.
“Why move to Tirana if Saranda is doing so well?”
Fair question.
But here’s the thing…
Clients don’t think in just one city anymore.
A few weeks ago, I was with a couple who came to see seaview apartments in Ksamil. Beautiful unit, walking distance to the beach, quiet street—not inside the chaos of July and August.
They liked it. A lot.
But then, during lunch—somewhere between grilled fish and a long conversation—they asked:
“What about Tirana?”
And I paused for a second, because I’ve heard that question more and more lately.
Investors are thinking bigger now. They’re not just looking for a holiday home on the Albanian Riviera. They’re thinking:
- Coast for summer income
- Capital for year-round rental
- Diversification inside one country
And honestly… it makes sense.
Tirana today is not the Tirana from five or ten years ago.
Walk around the Lake area in the evening and you’ll see it immediately. Families, expats, remote workers, cafés full even on weekdays. There’s movement. Demand. A different kind of energy compared to the coast—but just as important.
So for us, expanding to Tirana wasn’t about leaving Saranda behind.
It was about connecting the two.
The New Office in Tirana — Lake View Residences
And now, it’s official.
We’ve opened our new office at Lake View Residences.
If you know Tirana well, you’ll understand why we chose this location. It’s close to the lake, one of the most active and pleasant areas in the city. People walking, families, professionals having meetings in nearby cafés—it has that balance of lifestyle and business that we were looking for.
And this is important to say clearly:
We did not come to Tirana because we are leaving the south.
Not at all.
Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh—that’s where our story started. That’s where we built our name, our relationships, and our experience. And we are keeping the exact same standard there. Same attention to detail. Same way of working. Same mindset.
Tirana is an addition.
A natural expansion.
Because our investors—especially the ones who trust us and come back again—don’t want just one option anymore. They want more flexibility. More opportunities.
And now we can offer that.
A New Vision for Real Estate in Albania
And this is where things get more interesting.
Because we’re not just opening another office.
We want to bring a new direction to real estate in Albania.
Something that, honestly, hasn’t really been done before—at least not in the way we’re planning it.
I won’t go into every detail just yet (we’re still building parts of it), but the core idea is simple:
Better service. Real guidance. Full experience.
Not just:
“Here’s the property, take it or leave it.”
But:
- Understanding the client properly
- Structuring the investment with them
- Helping with legal, management, long-term thinking
- Making the process smooth—even for someone who has never been to Albania before
Because I’ve seen it many times—foreign clients arrive excited, but also a bit unsure. It’s normal. New country, new rules, new systems.
And small details matter.
Like explaining why in Saranda, some of the best beachfront property isn’t always directly on the loudest street.
Or why in Ksamil, being 5–7 minutes away from the center can actually be better long-term.
Or even something simple—like where to eat after a viewing. (There’s a small place near Butrint road, family-run, no sign outside… but the seafood there is better than most high-end restaurants. I’ve closed conversations there that I probably couldn’t close in an office.)
These things matter more than people think.
A Small Tangent… But Important
Sometimes people ask me:
“Is Albania too late to invest in now?”
And I always smile a bit when I hear that.
Because I remember when people were asking the same question three years ago.
And five years ago.
And even before that.
The reality is—Albania is still in a very interesting phase.
Yes, prices have increased. That’s normal.
But compared to other Mediterranean countries? There’s still space.
Especially in areas like Saranda, Ksamil, and even emerging zones like Borsh.
Actually… speaking of Borsh, I was there recently for a quick site visit. Quiet beach, almost empty this time of year, just the sound of waves and maybe one or two locals walking by. And I thought to myself—this place is going to change a lot in the next few years.
Anyway… back to Tirana.
What This Means for You
If you’re reading this and considering investing in Albania, here’s what I’d say.
Don’t look at it as one decision.
Look at it as a strategy.
- Do you want a seaview apartment that brings summer income and personal use?
- Do you want a city property with stable, year-round rental demand?
- Or both?
There’s no single correct answer.
But there is a correct approach.
And that’s exactly what we’re building with VivaView Real Estate—something more structured, more thoughtful, more aligned with how investors actually think today.
Now, with our presence both in the south and in Tirana, we can guide you better.
More options. Better decisions.
Looking Forward
One year ago, we started with Saranda.
Today, we’re stepping into Tirana—with our new office at Lakeview Residence.
Tomorrow… who knows.
But one thing I’m sure about:
We’re just getting started.
And if the first 12 months—€8.9M in sales, 37+ deals, clients from all over—have taught me anything, it’s this:
There is real potential here. Not just in properties. But in how this entire market can evolve.
We want to be part of that change.
Not just follow it.
If you ever find yourself in Albania—whether in Saranda, Ksamil, or now Tirana—come by, have a coffee with us.
No pressure. Just a conversation.
Because sometimes, that’s how the best decisions begin.