Nick Houwen
Co-Founder, Casa Vista Real Estate LDA
Nick Houwen is the Co-Founder of Casa Vista Real Estate LDA, where he leads residential property development and investment projects across the Algarve. Together with Jesse van der Heide and Luciano de Vries, he built Casa Vista to transform how international buyers experience property acquisition in Portugal.
Based in southern Portugal, Nick specializes in sourcing, renovating, and repositioning properties for buyers from Northern Europe and beyond. His approach centers on transparency, clear communication, and hands-on guidance through every stage of the buying process.
Algarve Focus
Nick recognized early that many international buyers face steep learning curves when entering Portugal's property market. Legal processes, tax structures, and construction standards can feel overwhelming without proper support. Casa Vista was built to solve this problem.
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Working with a trusted network of lawyers, architects, and builders, Nick ensures that overseas clients receive comprehensive support from initial property search through final closing. His team assists with legal documentation, residency options, and investment-linked incentives that make the Algarve accessible to buyers from Northern Europe and beyond.
Experience
Nick's professional journey began at age 16 in the hospitality industry. Working in catering and hotel management across the Netherlands, he gained hands-on experience in operations, customer service, and team coordination. These early roles built the foundation for his leadership style and instilled a strong work ethic that carries through his business activities today.
Eager to grow, Nick moved to Groningen to pursue a Bachelor's degree in International Business at Hanze University of Applied Sciences (2015–2017). He continued working in hospitality throughout his studies, balancing academic work with practical experience.
A turning point came when Nick launched a bar in Blanes, Spain, during a busy summer season. This first entrepreneurial venture taught him to turn ideas into profitable businesses through quick thinking, financial management, and efficient operations. The experience confirmed his passion for building and running his own projects.
(2018 – Present)
Houwen Holding LTD
Nick founded Houwen Holding as a private investment company focused on real estate and select business ventures. Through this vehicle, he provides capital and operational guidance to growing companies while building his own property portfolio.
(2022 – Present)
Vastgoed Koper B.V.
Co-founded in the Netherlands, this investment firm focuses on off-market residential properties. Nick and his partners target cash-flowing rentals and long-term equity growth in the Dutch market.
(2018 – Present)
MIG Investors
Nick co-founded MIG Investors to manage a diversified portfolio across multiple sectors, including real estate and wellness. He works directly with entrepreneurs to refine business models and develop scaling plans.
(2022 – Present)
Bayswater Capital B.V.
Alongside his Casa Vista partners, Nick co-founded a seasonal luxury yacht charter company in Ibiza. He manages operational setup and service delivery for this hospitality venture.
Building Casa Vista
Nick co-founded Casa Vista in 2023 with Jesse van der Heide and Luciano de Vries to serve international buyers entering the Portuguese property market. Based in the Algarve, he recognized that foreign buyers often face steep learning curves when purchasing property in Portugal. Legal processes, tax structures, and construction standards can feel overwhelming without proper guidance.
Casa Vista was built to solve this problem. Nick leads acquisitions, renovations, and development projects in high-demand towns including Ferragudo and Lagos. Working with a trusted network of lawyers, architects, and builders, he ensures that overseas clients receive comprehensive support from initial property search through final closing.
His team provides full-service guidance covering legal documentation, architectural planning, residency options, and investment-linked incentives that make the Algarve accessible to buyers from Northern Europe and beyond. Nick also authored the Algarve Property Buying Guide, offering clear and actionable guidance for both EU and non-EU buyers navigating the purchasing process.
Under his leadership, Casa Vista launched a flagship development in Ferragudo featuring 30 modern townhouses just minutes from the coast. Each home offers 181 m² of living space above ground plus a 91 m² basement, designed with contemporary style suited to the Algarve climate. Nick identified strong demand for these properties, particularly among Dutch buyers, during a period when quality housing inventory remained scarce.
