Homes for Expats celebrating 2 years in business, highlighting success in the Dutch real estate market and assisting expats with housing solutions.

Celebrating 2 years of Homes for Expats!

When I started Homes for Expats two years ago, never in my wildest hopes and dreams did I imagine being where we are today. On the 1st of March 2022, I said to the powers that be, in my case the angel of parking, “if I can have 2 clients a month, I will be forever grateful.” I was scared leaving something that was a sure thing and going out on my own, which was fraught with anxiety and uncertainty, I wasn’t even sure what the journey would look like. What I did have was faith – faith in myself and my ability to just go for it, faith in the universe that it was going to be ok, and faith that it will come!

Two years on and I am incredibly proud to say that we are a team of 8 expat moms setting the Dutch property market on fire – how, you ask? By being the antithesis of what a corporate real estate agency should be. Yes, we are professional, yes, our service is above expectations, yes, we are passionate about our clients, yes, service excellence and kindness are our guiding principles, but my vision was to do it differently and different it is.

I wanted to show what could happen when a group of expat moms, many of whom have been overlooked because we had been out of the corporate world for too long being moms, could do given half the chance. The result… a service-driven, passionate about people, kindness-centric, and energetic service-oriented company that really has our clients’ best interests at heart.

I wanted to do it differently, I wanted to be a different kind of entrepreneur, I wanted to show everyone a group of women could work well together, could be kind in business, and be a formidable force to be reckoned with. I refused to believe that you have to do things in a certain way just because the norm dictates it so. I believe if you are authentic and truly honest in your sincerity to want the best for your clients, success will come.

More than that, I am so incredibly grateful that I cannot say thank you enough to the powers that be who heard my gratitude and know that I took the chance, ran towards the vision I had, and did my absolute best to achieve my goal of owning a real estate business that was nothing like anything else in the Dutch housing market.

I’m so excited for the future, I’m excited to see where we can go from here and what we are able to achieve together. To every single person who has believed in us, chosen us, mentored us, trusted us, cheered for us and championed us – thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you for choosing Homes for Expats. Thank you for seeing my vision and having faith that it is possible!

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Leslie Gamble

Rental Makelaar Utrecht and surrounds

Leslie relocated to the Netherlands from the United States in June 2025 with her husband, their two children, and their two dogs. She knows exactly what it feels like to move your whole life across borders and start again in a new country.

Before moving to the Netherlands, Leslie spent ten years working as a Realtor and Property Manager in Nevada. That background means she understands the buying process deeply, while also knowing how different and sometimes overwhelming it can feel when you are purchasing as an expat in the Dutch housing market.

Living in Utrecht herself, Leslie stays closely connected to the local market and works with fellow professionals to ensure her clients always receive current, accurate information. She understands the importance of clarity, honesty, and guidance you can rely on when making such a big decision.

Leslie is passionate about helping expats feel supported and confident from the very first conversation through to the moment they receive the keys. For her, it is about more than buying a house. It is about helping people find a place where they can truly feel at home.

At Homes for Expats, every story, every client, every move matters to us.

Today, I’m proud to say that Homes for Expats has grown into a dedicated group of professionals. We are eight property specialists, all expats, and all women, covering most of the Netherlands. Each of us brings unique insight, experience, and a shared passion for helping others find their place here. As a group, we understand the emotional and practical challenges of moving to a new country because we’ve lived it ourselves. Together, we’re here to make the process smoother, more personal, and filled with care.

For me, this isn’t just business; it’s personal. I care deeply about the people I work with, and my commitment to honesty, integrity, and excellence drives everything I do. Helping you find a home where you feel comfortable and happy isn’t just my job, it’s my passion.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing the joy on a client’s face when we find the perfect match. That moment, when everything falls into place and a house starts to feel like home, is why I do what I do. Your trust means the world to me, and it inspires me and my colleagues to work tirelessly to make your experience seamless and rewarding.

Let us be your guides on this exciting journey. With Homes for Expats, we’re here to help you build a home and a life you’ll love in the Netherlands. Let’s make it a memorable, meaningful, and stress-free adventure, together.

Jessica Venn

Purchasing makelaar Amsterdam, haarlem, north holland

A lawyer and lecturer from Johannesburg who relocated to the Netherlands in 2018 after first living for a short time in Dubai. Jessica studied B Com Law and LLB and after completing her articles in law, she started lecturing law to university students. In 2011 she opened up her own law firm specializing in Consumer Law and Contracts. After relocating and running her business remotely, Jessica closed her firm in 2020 and became a full-time mom to her two little boys.

 

Going from running my own law firm to being a full-time mom has been an interesting journey. Moving to a new country (twice) definitely kicked my networking skills into a higher gear! As an expat you have to learn how to make new friends, find your way around a new city, and integrate into a different culture and community. From the moment I landed in Dubai I felt the need to want to help others integrate more easily and make them feel supported even though their own family and friends were far away. Helping expats find a home is an integral part of the relocation process. Offering the best support while taking that step is exactly what I want to provide to my clients. Now here in the Netherlands at Homes for Expats I get to do exactly that! Relocating is not for the faint-hearted but it is worth it! Let me help you find your home!