At Gentle Way Real Estate, we are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is protected. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and secure your data when you visit our website or use our services. By accessing or using our website, you consent to the terms and conditions outlined in this policy. We encourage you to read this policy carefully and contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of information to provide you with the best possible service:

1.1. Personal Information:
• Name, email address, phone number, and other contact details when you fill out forms on our website or contact us directly.
• Information related to property inquiries, preferences, and interests to better understand your needs and offer personalized services.
• Payment and billing information, if applicable, to facilitate transactions.

1.2. Technical Information:
• IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, and other technical data to enhance website performance and user experience.
• Information on your browsing behavior, including pages visited, links clicked, and time spent on our site, collected through cookies and similar technologies.

1.3. Communication Data:
• Correspondence through emails, phone calls, or other communication channels.
• Feedback, reviews, and survey responses to improve our services.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

2.1. Service Delivery and Improvement:
• To respond to your inquiries and provide information about our real estate services.
• To process transactions and manage bookings or property viewings.
• To personalize your user experience and recommend properties that match your preferences.

2.2. Marketing and Communications:
• To send you promotional emails, newsletters, and updates about new properties, offers, or events that may interest you.
• To notify you about changes to our services or policies.

2.3. Analytics and Research:
• To analyze website usage patterns and improve our website functionality, design, and content.
• To conduct market research and understand customer preferences, helping us to enhance our marketing strategies and services.

2.4. Legal Compliance and Security:
• To comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements.
• To detect, prevent, and address fraud, security breaches, or other technical issues.

You have the option to opt out of marketing communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions included in our emails or by contacting us directly.

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your user experience and collect information about how you use our website.

3.1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help us remember your preferences, understand your browsing behavior, and improve our website’s performance.

3.2. Types of Cookies We Use:
• Necessary Cookies: Essential for the website’s functionality, such as accessing secure areas or processing payments.
• Performance Cookies: Collect anonymous data about website usage, helping us to understand how visitors navigate our site.
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences, such as language settings, to provide a more personalized experience.
• Marketing Cookies: Track your browsing habits to deliver relevant advertisements and measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.

3.3. Managing Cookies:
You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to accept, refuse, or delete cookies. However, please note that disabling certain cookies may affect your user experience on our website.

For more details on how we use cookies, please refer to our Cookies Policy, available on our website.

4. Data Security and Retention

We are committed to ensuring the security of your personal information. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure.

4.1. Security Measures:
• Use of secure servers and encryption technologies to safeguard your data.
• Restricted access to personal information, limited to authorized personnel who require it for operational purposes.
• Regular review and update of our security practices to adapt to emerging threats and technologies.

4.2. Data Retention:
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, comply with legal obligations, or resolve disputes. When the data is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or anonymized.

5. Sharing Your Information

We respect your privacy and do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties except in the following circumstances:

5.1. Service Providers:
We may share your data with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website, conducting business, or providing services to you. These providers are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of your information and use it only for the purposes for which it was shared.

5.2. Legal Requirements:
We may disclose your information when required by law, legal proceedings, or governmental requests. This includes situations where disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety, as well as the rights of our users or the public.

5.3. Business Transfers:
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your personal information may be transferred to the new entity. You will be notified of any changes in ownership or the use of your personal data.

6. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, plugins, or services that are not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

7. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
• Access and correction
• Deletion and restriction
• Data portability
• Objection to processing
• Withdrawal of consent

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in the Contact Us section below.

8. International Data Transfers

Your personal information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your place of residence. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data during such transfers.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are not directed at individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or industry standards. Any changes will be posted on this page.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal data, please contact us.

12. Consent and Acceptance

By continuing to use our website or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection, use, and sharing of your personal information as described.