Buying on the Algarve

The buyers: Gene and Gary
Gene is a community nurse from St Albans and she and her husband Gary have spent many years going to the Algarve on holiday (and not ever wanting to come back). Now they've decided to take early retirement and make this special place their home.
However, with Gary staying home to take care of the sale of the house, daughter Jodie is stepping in to help her parents seek out their dream property.

Jodie and the rest of the family will be frequent visitors and it's important they are all happy about the new home. The budget is £230k and they are looking for a three-bedroom property with a sea view and, as the icing on the cake, a swimming pool.

Why the Algarve?
The coastline is pure natural charm and stretches about 100 miles from the western-most tip to the Spanish border.

The western end juts out into the Atlantic and offers spectacular views from the cliffs straight out across the ocean. With nothing but water between you and America, it's easy to imagine what inspired the navigators all those centuries ago.

Faro is the capital and is located right in the centre, making it the perfect base to explore the lovely clear water beaches and impressive golf clubs.

Read on for Catherine Gee's tips on buying in Portugal and our essential contact list...

Catherine’s tips for buying in Portugal
It is a legal requirement that the buyers are present when legal documents are being signed or any money is being exchanged in reference to buying a property. You’ll need to factor in several trips to Portugal to keep an eye on progress, or take the easier alternative and grant power of attorney to your Portuguese solicitor. This way they can attend on your behalf. As a popular buyers’ market, the Algarve is quite pricey, but it should still be a good buy as the return on investment over the last 10 years has been about 360%! The area is building on becoming a premier sporting destination, with plans for 20 more golf courses.

The estate agents
Winkworth Lagos (Property 1) Tel: +351 282 769 341
Inside Villas (Property 2) Tel: +351 289 399 011
Carnival Properties (Property 3) Tel: 01737 244 442
Graham's Property in Portugal (Property 4) Tel/Fax: +351 281 544 636
GMAC Imobiliaria (Vilamoura) Tel: +351 289 323 400
Sunny Homes Tel: +351 282 359 062

For a millionaire moment…
REMAX Prestige Tel: +351 289 355 888

Hotels
Hotel Quinta do Lago Tel: +351 289 350 350
Pousada do Infante Tel: +351 282 620 240

Other useful links
Vilamoura Casino (“the meeting point for the most exciting nights in the Algarve”!) Tel: +351 289 310 000
The Ocean Golf Club Tel: +351 289 353 465
Geographic Algarve (Diving, fishing, hiking and cultural excursions) Tel: +351 967 0326 75 Email: geographic.algarve@clix.pt