Our story
Crete Island Estates is the longest-established real estate company in the area, operating since 1999.
With an extensive network of trusted suppliers and professionals, plus incomparable experience assisting foreign clients in all real estate matters, you can be sure of a comprehensive and personal service.
Claudia Marenbach Fountoulakis runs the real estate and long-term rental office. Originally from Germany, she met her husband Giorgos and moved to Crete over 25 years ago, followed by her parents.
As a small family-run office with the same team for 15 years, we have successfully weathered the highs and lows of the real estate market in Crete and remain well respected by both clients and colleagues. We are also very well-known in the community for our charitable fundraising and support efforts.
Giorgos Fountoulakis, from Chania, oversees the construction company, building high-quality homes to order, limiting the number of projects per year through careful selection in order to provide the highest personal attention and service that building your own home requires. We use the same team of fully qualified tradesmen to ensure our consistent quality.
Nearly half of our new build and real estate clients come from referrals or repeat customers, an endorsement more sincere than words or advertising can convey. You might start out as a client, but you’ll end up as family!
Meet our staff
After studying on the Free University in Berlin, I came to Crete in 1997. My best decision ever. I opened the business in 1999. I love meeting people from all over the world and finding the right property for them.
I moved here from London in 2004 to try the Cretan life for a year. After two years, I realised I wasn't going anywhere, so I started working with Claudia. Having been through the process myself, I specialise in relocation support.
My wife and I moved from Athens in 2019, to escape the crazy pace of city life. I studied economics, but found my true calling in real estate, helping people finding their home in Crete.