The Story Behind Stormy Wheel
Fifteen years ago, two friends who loved the Croatian coast decided that finding property here shouldn't be a frustrating experience. That simple idea became a company built on local knowledge, honest advice, and genuine passion for Mediterranean living.
How It All Started
In 2009, Ana Kovač was helping a friend from Vienna find a summer house near Split. The experience was maddening—agents who didn't return calls, properties that looked nothing like their photos, legal complications that surfaced after deposits were paid.
She started keeping notes on reliable contacts, trustworthy lawyers, properties that actually matched their descriptions. Her friend eventually found a perfect stone house in Bol. Within a year, three more friends had asked for her help.
She called her former colleague Marko Petrović, who had just returned to Croatia after a decade in real estate in Munich. "There's something here," she told him. "People want the coast, but they need someone who actually understands it."
That conversation became Stormy Wheel. The name comes from an old fisherman's saying in Dalmatia about steering through rough weather—apt for navigating the complexities of coastal property acquisition.
Ana begins informally helping friends find Croatian properties, building a network of trusted contacts.
Stormy Wheel formally established in Split, with Ana and Marko as founding partners.
Opening of Rovinj office to serve growing demand in northern Croatia.
Celebrating two hundred successful transactions across the coast.
Team member now based full-time in southern Dalmatia to better serve the region.
Our Core Values
These principles aren't marketing language—they're the standards we hold ourselves to in every client interaction.
Honest Assessment
If a property has problems, we tell you. If something isn't right for your needs, we say so directly. Our reputation depends on clients who actually love their purchases years later, not just closed deals.
Local Presence
We live where we work. Our agents are part of coastal communities, not visitors. This means we know which neighborhood floods in November, which restaurant opened last month, which builder actually shows up on time.
Patience
Good purchases rarely happen quickly. We don't pressure clients toward decisions. Some of our best placements came after months of searching and multiple visits. The right property is worth waiting for.
Relationships Over Transactions
Many of our clients have purchased multiple properties with us over the years. Some have become friends. We measure success by ongoing relationships, not annual sales figures.
Due Diligence
Every property we recommend has been through our verification process. We've seen too many deals fall apart over title issues or permit problems. Thorough preparation prevents painful surprises.
Selective Standards
We don't list every available property. Our portfolio includes only properties we've personally inspected and would recommend to a friend. Quality over quantity, always.
People Behind the Properties
Our small team combines deep local roots with international perspective. Each person brings something unique to the table.
Ana Kovač
Founding Partner
Born in Split, educated in Zagreb and London. Ana spent years in hospitality before discovering her real passion was helping people find their place on the coast. She handles client relationships and property curation.
Marko Petrović
Founding Partner
A decade of real estate experience in Munich gave Marko perspective on what international buyers need. He manages operations, legal coordination, and the Istria region. Fluent in German, English, and Italian.
Ivana Babić
Central Dalmatia Specialist
Ivana grew up on Brač and knows the central Dalmatian islands intimately. She joined the team in 2016 after working in tourism. Her local connections are unmatched in the Split area.
Luka Marinović
Southern Dalmatia Specialist
Based in Dubrovnik since 2024, Luka brings fresh energy to the southern region. His background in architecture helps clients envision renovation possibilities that others might miss.
Tomislav Horvat
Legal Coordinator
Tomislav ensures every transaction is clean. With fifteen years in Croatian property law, he anticipates problems before they arise. International clients especially appreciate his clear explanations of local requirements.
Eva Krajnc
Client Relations
Eva is typically your first point of contact. She coordinates viewings, manages documentation, and keeps everything running smoothly. Her attention to detail means nothing falls through the cracks.
How We Work Differently
Most real estate agencies focus on listings. The more properties they represent, the more chances to earn commission. We took a different path from the beginning.
Our portfolio is deliberately small. Every property has been visited, photographed, and assessed by one of our team members. We know the neighbors, the local quirks, the actual condition behind the fresh paint.
When you contact us, we don't immediately send you a stack of listings. We have a conversation first. Sometimes that conversation reveals that now isn't the right time to buy, or that your budget doesn't align with your expectations, or that a different region would suit you better. That's useful information, even if it doesn't result in an immediate sale.
This approach means we handle fewer clients than a typical agency. But the clients we work with tend to be happy—and they tend to tell their friends.
By the Numbers
- 340+ properties successfully matched to owners
- 28 coastal towns and islands served
- 43% of new clients come from referrals
- Average relationship spans 2.3 transactions
- Zero unresolved legal disputes since 2011
Why Coastal Property Is Different
Maritime Regulations
Properties near the water face specific building restrictions. The coastal protection zone limits what can be constructed within 70 meters of the sea. Some existing structures have grandfathered rights; others don't. We know how to verify status.
Seasonal Considerations
A property that seems perfect in July might reveal problems in January. Winter storms test roofing and drainage. Tourist season transforms quiet streets. We show properties in context, not just at their best.
Island Logistics
Buying on an island introduces ferry schedules, limited services, and water supply considerations. Some islands are connected by regular ferries; others require private boats. We explain practical realities before you fall in love with a view.
Stone Construction
Many coastal properties feature traditional stone construction. This material requires specific maintenance knowledge and can hide moisture issues. Our inspection process includes assessment by builders experienced with historic techniques.
Tourism Potential
If rental income matters to you, location is crucial. Proximity to attractions, beach access, parking availability—these factors determine rental performance more than interior finishes. We provide realistic rental projections based on comparable properties.
Community Integration
Coastal communities can be welcoming or insular depending on the town. We help you understand local dynamics before committing. Some clients want lively social scenes; others prefer quiet corners where they can become part of village life.
Questions About Working With Us
Our core territory stretches from Istria in the north to Dubrovnik in the south, including all major islands. We have the strongest presence in central Dalmatia (Split, Hvar, Brač, Makarska) and Istria (Rovinj, Poreč, Pula). For properties in less-covered areas, we partner with trusted local agents.
Our commission is 3% of the purchase price, standard for Croatian real estate. This covers property search, viewing coordination, negotiation support, and closing assistance. Legal services are billed separately by our partner attorneys at transparent rates.
We maintain relationships with reliable builders, architects, and interior designers throughout our territory. While we don't manage construction projects ourselves, we can introduce you to professionals we trust and help coordinate initial consultations.
Our portfolio ranges from modest apartments around €150,000 to significant villas above €2 million. That said, finding quality properties under €200,000 has become increasingly difficult in prime locations. We're honest about what's realistic within your budget.
Many clients return to us when circumstances change and they need to sell. We handle resales with the same thoroughness as acquisitions, drawing on our network of qualified buyers and partner agencies across Europe.
Begin Your Search
Whether you have specific criteria in mind or just the beginning of a coastal dream, we're ready to listen and advise.
Get in Touch