Builds Her Real Estate Dream in Montenegro

Success often begins with a decision that feels uncomfortable. For Seren Sohtorik, that decision came in 2021 when she left Türkiye and moved to Montenegro, a country where she had no established professional network and could not speak the local language.

Today, Seren is the co-founder and managing director of Seraf Properties, a growing real estate company serving international buyers and investors across Montenegro’s beautiful coastal region.

Her journey from hospitality professional to entrepreneur reflects courage, patience, and the determination to create something meaningful in an unfamiliar country.

Leaving Türkiye to Build an International Career

Born and raised in Türkiye, Seren developed an interest in international business and working with people from different cultures.

She completed her bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management before earning a master’s degree in Global Marketing. During university, she also participated in the Erasmus program in Italy, which strengthened her ambition to work internationally.

Her professional experience began at a travel agency while she was studying. She later worked with international hospitality brands, including Marriott and Hyatt Regency.

These experiences taught Seren how to understand customer expectations, communicate professionally, and build lasting relationships.

However, she wanted something more than a comfortable career. She wanted to discover what she could achieve independently.

Seren Sohtorik Starting Over in Montenegro Without Familiar Connections

Moving to Montenegro in 2021 brought opportunities alongside unexpected difficulties.

Seren had to understand a different culture, learn the local language, and establish professional connections from the beginning.

Living away from her family also required emotional strength and independence.

Instead of allowing these challenges to discourage her, Seren treated every experience as an opportunity to learn.

Her curiosity about property began while searching for her own home. She explored neighborhoods, contacted owners, and personally visited properties to understand the market.

What started as a personal search gradually became the foundation of her future profession.

The Small Studio Apartment That Changed Everything

After gaining experience in hospitality, Seren joined a British real estate company in its sales and marketing department.

During her first month, she successfully completed her first property transaction.

The property was a small studio apartment in Prčanj, the neighborhood where she lived. The buyer was Turkish, while the owner was a foreign national.

Although the transaction was modest compared with luxury property deals, its personal significance was enormous.

It proved that Seren could succeed in a competitive industry despite cultural differences and language challenges.

That early achievement strengthened her confidence and encouraged her to pursue bigger opportunities.

Building Seraf Properties With Fatih Bakkal

As Seren gained industry knowledge, she began imagining a company built around her own professional values.

Together with business partner Fatih Bakkal, she established Seraf Properties, turning years of experience into an independent entrepreneurial venture.

Today, the company operates from the Bay of Kotor region and serves clients across Kotor, Tivat, and Luštica.

Its services include property sales, rentals, and property management, with listings ranging from studio apartments to luxury villas.

Seren now leads a team of six professionals who collectively communicate in seven languages.

This multilingual approach helps the company support international clients while maintaining strong relationships within Montenegro’s property market.

From Everyday Properties to Major Investment Opportunities

Seraf Properties is gradually expanding beyond traditional residential transactions.

The company has recently begun working with larger investment opportunities valued between €10 million and €30 million.

For Seren, this development represents another important stage in her entrepreneurial journey.

She believes Montenegro offers interesting long-term possibilities because of its coastline, natural beauty, geographical position, and developing investment landscape.

However, she understands that successful investment decisions require careful research, professional guidance, and realistic expectations.

Her ambition is not simply to increase transaction values but to develop a respected company capable of supporting clients through important financial decisions.

Why Trust Matters More Than Closing Deals

Seren believes that real estate involves far more responsibility than showing attractive homes or negotiating prices.

Clients may be investing their savings, planning their retirement, or purchasing properties that represent years of personal effort.

Understanding these emotions has shaped her professional approach.

Her guiding philosophy can be expressed in one powerful message:

“Great real estate success is not measured only by the properties you sell, but by the trust you build and the futures you help create.”

For Seren, transparency, clear communication, and professional integrity remain essential to every client relationship.

She wants Seraf Properties to become a name associated with reliability rather than temporary commercial success.

The Personal Sacrifices Behind Entrepreneurial Success

Building a business abroad has not always been easy.

Seren has experienced long working days, limited holidays, difficult decisions, and the pressure of establishing credibility in a new market.

Being away from family has also taught her the importance of emotional resilience.

She has learned that confidence does not mean living without fear. It means continuing despite uncertainty.

These experiences have influenced both her leadership style and personal values.

Today, Seren considers the relationships she has developed and the reputation her company is building among her greatest achievements.

She is especially proud of representing Turkish entrepreneurship in Montenegro’s Kotor and Tivat property market.

A Bigger International Vision for Seraf Properties

Looking ahead, Seren wants to transform Seraf Properties into an internationally recognized real estate brand.

Her vision includes connecting Montenegro with investors, business partners, and property buyers from different countries.

She also hopes to expand the company’s involvement in significant investment projects while preserving its personalized approach.

For Seren, growth should never come at the expense of integrity.

She believes that lasting success requires consistency, patience, and the willingness to keep learning.

Her story demonstrates how an unfamiliar beginning can develop into a meaningful entrepreneurial journey.

From arriving in Montenegro without local connections to leading her own company, Seren continues proving that determination can create opportunities beyond expectations.

Her next chapter is focused on building a lasting legacy through Seraf Properties.

Connect Seren Sohtorik on LinkedIn

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