The Silver Coast, a Property Hot Spot in Europe

It has been said, in recent years that the Silver Coast of Portugal is a new European property hotspot, and that buying in this beautiful part of the country will offer the financial rewards enjoyed by buyers in the Algarve region over the last fifteen or so years.

Portugal has an incredibly successful property market, largely based on overseas buyers snapping up stunning homes on the Algarve causing a significant rise in prices.

The Silver Coast is now feeling a ripple effect of this demand with buyers impressed at the quality and value for money that this part of the country offers.

The Silver Coast has long been popular as a holiday destination with the Portuguese, and has only recently started to become more widely known throughout Europe and the rest of the world as a fantastic holiday area.

And this hardly comes as a surprise when you consider how much the Silver Coast has to offer, award winning golf courses, perfect sandy beaches, plentiful high quality restaurants and historical sites in picturesque towns - all of course, made perfect by the glorious sunny weather.

Investing in property on the Silver Coast has got to be a guaranteed winner, what are you waiting for?


By Stephanie Johnson

Sailing Around the Bay in Sao Martinho do Porto

One of our dreams since coming to live on the Silver Coast is to keep a little boat in the bay at Sao Martinho do Porto.

The beautiful shell shaped bay forms a natural harbour allowing yachts, dingies and other craft to moor safely protected from the open sea by the huge cliffs. Our plan is to spend sunny weekends pottering around Sao Martinho bay teaching our little boy to sail while enjoying picnics and a spot of fishing.

Sao Martinho Nautic Club is based on the quay and offer sailing lessons at all levels. It is a common sight in the summer to see children from the local schools taking lessons in sailing, canoeing and other water sports under strict supervision from the qualified instructors.

We at Prestige Portugal Property are proud to offer villas and apartments for sale in Sao Martinho and the surrounding areas, providing not only a great investment but also an ideal base for you to enjoy fabulous Silver Coast holidays for many years to come.

By Stephanie Johnson

A Fresh Start

The recent welcome announcement from the BBC that the UK is officially out of recession brings relief for everyone. As one of the last economies in the world to finally emerge from the gloom Britain can now start 2010 afresh.

Here at Prestige Portugal Property we have recently had a noticeable increase in client enquiries from the UK proving that the strengthening economy is already being widely felt.

So perhaps now is the time to start thinking about investments, and with the Silver Coast being tipped as a property hot spot you might find it is the perfect place to put your money.

Buying a property in beautiful locations such as Sao Martinho do Porto, Salir do Porto, Nazare or Obidos could not only bring you financial rewards but also the fun of holidays for many years to come.

Let’s forget the doom and gloom of 2009 and embrace the sunshine in 2010!



By Stephanie Johnson

New Year's Resolutions

The theory behind New Year’s resolutions is that you do something positive to improve your life, the problem is have you noticed how easy it is to make a New Year’s resolution but how hard it is to stick to?

Well, I have a solution – only make resolutions you will want to keep!

If you are looking to get the most out of life how about resolving to take a trip to the fabulous Silver Coast in Portugal, where you could visit wonderful locations such as the Obidos Lagoon, Sao Martinho do Porto or the lovely old fishing town of Nazare.

Surely, owning a luxury villa or apartment by the sea would do much to enhance your life, and far from being just an indulgence property on the Silver Coast is a proven investment opportunity - so you can be sure you are taking positive steps to ensure your financial future.

Now there’s a resolution you could stick to.

Happy New Year!

By Stephanie Johnson

Why Are We Called Prestige?

We took a lot of care choosing a name for our business, we are not called Prestige by accident.

Allow me to explain:

P – Property on the Silver Coast, a product we truly believe in.
R – Reasonable prices. You still get great value for money on the Silver Coast when compared to other holiday destinations such as Spain.
E – Experience. We have many years experience during which time we have established ourselves as one of the leading agents on the Silver Coast.
S – Silver Coast. Where else?
T – Trust. Our knowledge of the area and the real estate business means we are able to offer a professional, reliable service.
I – Investment. Property on the Silver Coast of Portugal is recommended as a wise investment due to the stable government, unspoilt coastline and countryside and ease of access. The Silver Coast is only a short drive from Lisbon airport.
G – Good rental potential. Our apartments and villas in beautiful locations such as Nazare, Sao Martinho do Porto, Salir do Porto and Obidos provide consistent rental income for their owners.
E – Endless miles of sandy beaches. Which as an owner of a property on the Silver Coast are available for you to enjoy whenever you wish.

Prestige by name, prestige by nature.

By Stephanie Johnson

Property investment tips

Real Estate is still the number 1 investment vehicle available to everyday people. The key is to invest when the cycle is at its lowest rather than at the peak. It is an investment which we can manage ourselves and has the security of being a “Tangible Investment” unless of course you buy in Florida and a hurricane takes your investment away but then of course that is what insurance is for.

There is no other investment vehicle out there that places the investor in the same favorable position as real estate does. Where else can you place a deposit down for just a percentage of the investment value yet still maintain earning capability on 100% of the investment?

Over the past 30 years returns on property in Portugal have far exceeded worldwide averages although past data shows stable and moderate growth averages in Portugal of between 4% - 6% per year. Obviously there are certain areas of the country that saw “micro booms” such as some of the resort towns of the Algarve which experienced up to 15% growth per year yet this is not reflective of the country as a whole . Overseas buyers were to blame for this and these areas have now reached their peak years before they should have. (Obviously not the place to invest now so)

The current international market situation means that there has never been a better time to invest in Portugal. Interest rates are at a record low, there is an opportunity to secure fantastic property deals well below peak value and local banks are still very willing to finance property purchases. Today’s market is an incredible investment opportunity for the savvy investor.

When thinking of which market to invest in, we must arrive to certain conclusions:
What is the risk level we are prepared to take? Why are we investing in a particular country? Which part of the chosen country are we going to invest in? And are we looking for capital growth or rental returns or both?

by Colm Wilkinson

Property Highlight: Luxury apartments, Nazare, Silver Coast, Portugal

Nazare, one of Portugals oldest fishing village is one of the real gems of the Silver Coast. Visitors from all over the world have fallen in love with the golden beaches, the marina, the restaurants, the vibrant nightlife and the breath taking white cliffs that tower above this unique place.

At the heart of this amazing village you will find 'Colinas Da Nazare', luxury apartments in a fantastic location. These apartments are in construction and promise to be absolutely stunning. Lovely stone flooring and counter tops in the fully fitted kitchens, exotic marble in the bathrooms, luxury fittings such as central vacuum, built in sound system, air conditioning in every room, large balconies and warm wooden flooring in the bedrooms.

The development also includes 3 levels of underground parking and to top it all off, literally, a pool and decking area on the roof, with a glorious view of the white cliffs, the ocean, the beach and the marina. There is a condominium lounge and decking area where occupants of the apartments can relax, enjoy a drink and take in the breath taking sea views and sunsets.

With completion scheduled for early 2010, everything is moving along swiftly and with only a few apartments still available Colinas Da Nazare is going to be a wonderful and exclusive development for people to both live and holiday.

The development presents a great investment opportunity, with good rental potential due to the quality of the build, luxury fittings and finishings and the fact that development is less than 5 minutes walk from the beach front.

Live the dream . . .

Find out more . . .

Latest property listing: Investment apartments, Nazare

Located in the wonderful village of Nazare, for years Nazare has been a popular place for ortugues people from Lisbon and elsewhere to go for holiday, on saturdays and sundays the beach is packed with families enjoying the glorious sun, golden sand and the promenade that stretches from one end to the next. The beach front is lined with pubs, coffee shops, restaurants and stores.

At night Nazare remains busy, with a host of popular pubs, restaurants and night clubs. The promenade buzzes all night with people strolling up and down and stopping off at the different venues for a drink, coffee, meal or a dance.

The village of Nazare is set for some major development; a new golf course, state of the art hospital and the brand new Marina. Anybody who owns property in Nazare will enjoy huge increases in property value over the next few years as the area continues to develop.

These apartments are perfectly located, will be beautifully finished and will be built 50m's away from the new Marina. This presents an amazing investment opportunity.

Find out more . . .

Why Portugal?

Portugal is a cosmopolitan country, the home of Henry the Navigator and Vasco da Gama, with a rich sea fairing heritage and has for centuries witnessed all nationalities embarking and disembarking from great voyages of discovery. Portuguese, have through the centuries become accustomed to traditional visitors from both the “Old World” and exotic visitors from the “New World”. The Portuguese are a friendly and peaceful nation that welcomes all nations, languages and creeds with open arms. Portuguese tend to be multilingual a skill learned in finding the routes of discovery to the Far East and the Americas. Portugal receives visitors with “Beijinhos e Abraços” (kisses and hugs), “Bem Vindo a Portugal” (welcome to Portugal).


ESTABLISHED DEMOCRACY
Portugal has been a stable democracy since 1974. Portugal has no internal political strife and religion is practised freely with no radical elements operating on the fringe of society. Portugal also shares a positive and peaceful relationship with its neighbours and former colonies, i.e. Brazil, Angola etc.

EXTREMELY SAFE INVESTMENT LOCATION
As a location, Portugal meets all the criteria for a low risk investment. It has been a member of the European Union since 1986, part of the single currency since its inception in 2002. Portugal has a stable government and enjoys steady economic growth. Portuguese by their nature are conservative therefore Portugal has not experienced the peaks and troughs of fellow European Union member states. Both economic and population growth has been steady and the proof of this continued success is that Portugal is considered one of the safest countries in Europe to live in.

MASSIVE EU INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE
The European Union has between 2000 and 2006, invested €25 billion in Portugal to massively improve the country’s infrastructure. Roads and transport links have been significantly upgraded and soon, construction will begin on a high-speed TGV rail line, which will cut the 10-hour journey from Lisbon to Madrid to less than 3. The European Union pledged a further €22.5 billion over the next six years to improving the infrastructure. Motorways cross the country connecting all the major Portuguese centres including neighbouring Spanish cities; Madrid, Seville etc. The government is also promoting building of a new Lisbon International airport and a new bridge across the river Tejo, to be funded by the EU. Medical, Education, Electricity, Telephone and clean water are available to all its citizens providing a good standard of living for all. Portugal has entered the electronic age as a leader, citizens are able to communicate via the Internet and attend to: banking, bill payments, administrative issues from anywhere in the world. The equation is simple – when infrastructure improves, property prices go up.

HIGH LIVING STANDARDS BUT LOW COST OF LIVING
As part of the EU, Portugal enjoys high living standards including excellent healthcare and education systems, yet it remains one of the least expensive countries in Western Europe. Daily items such as food and wine are of excellent quality and the cost of a meal for a family of four is only around €35 per head.

PLANNING LAWS TO STOP OVERDEVELOPMENT
In 1993 planning laws were introduced, following a rash of over-development in Spain. Portugal has one of the strictest planning laws in Europe, it has been instrumental in preventing Portuguese ‘hotspots’ on the Silver Coast, Blue Coast, Lisbon Coast and Algarve from suffering the same fate as the overdeveloped Spanish Costa’s, allowing the country to maintain its traditional feel and atmosphere. It has restricted the number of new-builds, which has and will continue to push property prices higher.

PRIME TOURISM DESTINATION
Portugal remains a massive destination for tourists. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that tourism contributes over €30 billion to the Portuguese economy and is forecasted to grow to €53.5 billion by 2016. Tourism to the country remains rock-solid, which means strong demand for quality accommodation and in turn, higher occupancy rates for investors. Portuguese have learned from the success of resort towns such as Vilamoura, Val da Lobo, Quinta da Lago, Albufeira and Tavira in the Algarve and the revitalization on cosmopolitan centres such as Lisbon, Estoril and Cascais on the Lisbon Coast and applied these valuable lesson in hot spots such as Nazaré, São Martinho do Porto and Obidos on the Silver Coast.

YEAR ROUND RENTAL RETURNS
With its mild winter climate, cheap daily flights from all over Europe and an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, Portugal is a hugely popular year-round destination. Its attractions create a strong tourist demand, which ensures investors can make solid rental returns from holidaymakers throughout the year.

AVAILABILITY OF MORTGAGES
Portugal benefits from a mature banking system unlike some of the emerging Eastern European markets, Portuguese mortgages are readily available to overseas investors. All mortgages are based on status, with proof of income and outgoings required and the mortgage secured on the property in Portugal. The global banking crisis has not affected the Portuguese banks as much as their European counterparts; Portuguese banks tend to be more conservative in boom times and therefore only have to adjust their policies marginally in the lean times. Prestige Portugal benefits from an exclusive protocol with Portugal’s largest private bank, which includes, 72-hour mortgage pre-approval, reduced spreads, 80% LTV and more on villas, townhouses, land or apartments. This means a smaller initial outlay from investors and better overall returns for your investment

Why Portugal? . . . . . . . . . Why not?

by Davide Patricio

Emergence of Portuguese Buyers and the strengthening of the pound

Here on the Silver Coast we have seen a sudden increase in the amount of Portuguese buyers. Not just an increase in local people looking at property but an increase in the amount of people with money looking for anything from re-sales to off plan properties or apartments to villas, they have money and they want to buy now.

This is a sign of the times, Portuguese buyers have been very quiet for since late last year, but there is a general consensus that the market is at its lowest point and the deals that are available now are not going to be around for much longer.

Another sign of change in the market has been the strengthening of the pound. A month ago the pound was sitting at 1.09 to the euro and literally over 24 hours it went 1.13 to the euro, since then it has stabilized and has been hovering around the 1.14-1.16 mark.

Developers and builders on the Silver Coast, especially in places like Sao Martinho do Porto and Nazare, will have taken note of this and will start getting braver when buyers come knocking. As it stands now there are amazing deals to be had with all property; re-sales, off-plan, villas, bungalows and apartments. But the market will pick up and the prices will rise.

The best time to buy property, especially in Portugal and more specifically the Silver Coast is during a recession, based on how much more you get for your money and return on investment.

Silver Coast goes for gold

Miguel Abreu, Managing Director of Quintas de Óbidos, a resort in the Obidos region of the Silver Coast, explains why he believes the Silver Coast Market is set to rise...

"Over the last few years, capital growth has remained consistent in Portugal.“
"On the Silver Coast in particular, prices have risen steadily, yet they are still much lower than the Algarve. A lot of public money has been invested into the area, and a number of high quality developments are evolving, therefore prices are more than likely to rise significantly.

"The beauty of the Silver Coast is that it has undergone strict local planning policies which means that it will not be over developed, ensuring that supply and demand will remain equally balanced.
"It benefits from a high level of seclusion, with thousands of acres of unspoilt countryside, yet is in close proximity to Portugal's bustling capital, Lisbon, with its international airport, which is only ¾ of an hour away."

Golden triangle
The Obidos region in particular is emerging as a hotspot. Labelled ‘the Silver Coast's golden triangle', the area comprises around 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) and is set to have four championship golf courses in two years time, as well as an international standard equestrian centre within one year.

And Knight Frank recently tipped the Silver Coast as an up and coming prime residential market to watch in its recent Wealth Report.

The reality for developers, builder and agents is that the property will always sell, and in the next few months they will sell for more, but for the buyer now is the time.

Dylan Herholdt

Best developments on the Silver Coast

Today I’d like to share with you my favourite developments on the Silver coast of Portugal.
Since my favourite location is Sao Martinho do Porto, it is also where I sell more properties. I think it shows that I am more enthusiastic when I get there.

My favourite development without a doubt is Baia Residence I, II or III - it doesn’t really matter. Of course there are slight improvements in Baia II when compared with Baia I and no doubt Baia III will surprise me even more once it is ready. Baia Residence has the best finishing’s I have ever seen in the Silver Coast. This development is 7 minutes’ walk from Sao Martinho Bay and this, in my opinion, is a plus because you can be near restaurants and bars but in a calm area.

Second on my list of developments is Jardins de Salir : and the main reason for its second placing is because it is more expensive, even though I think it is worth every cent as it is going to have the same finishing’s as Baia Residence, as well as breathtaking views of the Bay and countryside. This development has attached villas with private gardens on a closed condo with beautiful communal gardens, swimming pool and leisure room. Mark my words - This development is going to astound you once it is ready.

On a different location, in Nazare, one of the busiest of the Silver coast, I was really impressed with the development “Colinas da Nazare”. This apartment block has a roof terrace swimming pool that is just amazing, with great views over the town centre and the Atlantic ocean. Just imagine the wonderful sun sets you can enjoy whilst lying at the pool side !

Property Management & rentals on the Silver Coast

Welcome to the Silver Coast! A truly beautiful breathtaking holiday destination still being discovered by many! It reflects the “Real Portugal”. The friendly local people, sun and sea right at your doorstep makes it such an easy, stress free environment to work in. In my line of work I have the privilege of meeting a variety of people from all over the world. My favorite part of my job is watching people discover and fall in love with the area and either realize what an amazing investment they have made or realize what a relaxing and enjoyable holiday they are about to have.

Silver Coast Hospitality (SCH) takes pride in providing the “Complete Package” for our Clients. We specialize in Property Management & Holiday Rentals of selected properties throughout Portugal’s beautiful Silver Coast. We provide property owners with reliable & comprehensive property management & rental services and much, much more!

How do we execute this service?

We will manage your investment professionally, leaving you more time to enjoy the benefits of the stunning Silver Coast. The SCH comprehensive property management services bring you many value-added benefits:
• Complete Peace of mind
• Local Market Knowledge
• 7 day call out service
• Multi-Lingual Staff
• International Marketing & distribution network.

We divide our time and energies for the holiday-maker and the property owner. This way we effectively manage the whole booking process and should anything not be 100% then we don't have to rely on others to resolve matters.

We aim to give our guests a “Hotel Experience in a Luxury Holiday Home!” Each property has been carefully inspected by SCH and the management team to ensure that the highest standards of service are maintained. Only properties which are personally furnished & Managed by our company are advertised on our website.

Written by The SCH Team!

Latest investment in the Eastern Algarve

Good News for Property buyers in the eastern Algarve, Ria shopping has just opened in Olhão, it’s an investment of over 30 millions and occupies an area of 9 thousand square meters, and it’s about 15km from Tavira. The RIA Shopping is divided in 6 floors 3 under ground witch caters for parking for 1100 cars, and the 3 above. This centre has 80 stores that include a supermarket, food, fashion. It has 3 cinemas one of them it’s a 3D the first in the Algarve, to open 7 days a week.

The centres motto is “LET YOURSELF BE SEDUCED”

So! When you next visit Algarve and preferably, are visiting your property in the Eastern Algarve, you now have the comfort and convenience to shop in Olhão and do not have to go halfway across Algarve to Algarve Shopping Centre.

Finally to those thinking of purchasing in Tavira , Taviras own Shopping Centre is nearing completion and should be ready for you during this coming summer.

The bottom line is, Eastern Algarve is the place to be!!

Written by the Algarve Team

What to expect from a viewing trip to the Silver Coast of Portugal

A viewing trip is usually between 3 and 5 days. One of our Sales Representatives will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. This Sales rep. will be the person responsible to guide you throughout your tour.

Where to buy?

One of the first things that you need is knowledge on the different locations according to the type of property you intend to acquire. Your representative will take you to different locations giving you a guided tour of the city or village, taking you to the nearest beach and any other places of interests. He will show you 1 or 2 properties in every location that you like, usually the best ones available within your budget. It is essential you see these properties to enable you to familiarise yourself with the value of property in a specific location. The most important thing is for you to choose which location you like best and, consequently, where you would like to buy your house. So if we do our job well, at the end of the first or second day you will be able to tell us where you want to see more properties.

What to buy?

There are no 2 properties alike but since there are not two persons alike either, I seriously believe that there is a buyer for every property. What you might classify as a “no way” someone else will consider their perfect property.
There is always some give and take when choosing property. You can be close to everything but get less value for your money, or you can be reasonably close and get a better house. For lifestyle clients this is always a difficult decision. Investment-wise, and especially when you are buying to rent, it is clear that a central location becomes a must.
When viewing property in a specific location we aim to provide you with as much information on that location and surrounding area as we can to enable you to make a knowledgeable and wise decision.

How to buy?

There are two other important stages that we will cover.

We will advise you to use a bilingual law firm and, if you don’t have any contacts here in Portugal, we will suggest one that has worked with our clients for several years. They will be working on your behalf and we will take you to meet them so that they can explain the buying process to you, including the costs involved.

In the eventuality that you require a mortgage, we can take you to a branch of one of the biggest banks here in Portugal so that you can speak with them in person. We also work with a mortgage adviser that can do a simulation on the spot and get pre-approval from the bank.

By the end of your tour you will have all the required information in order to enable you to reach your decision. Since Portugal is a great unspoilt country with so many advantages, such as proximity, weather, food, friendly people and much much more, I’m sure you will agree it is a great place to live and visit more often.

Portugal leading Europe on “Green” and “Clean” energy

From dawn to sunset, 2,520 solar followers, with 104 photovoltaic panels each, "pursue" and "feed" from the sun that radiates in the town of Amareleja in Alentejo (Moura), to produce "clean" energy through the largest solar complex in the world.

With a total capacity of 46.41 megawatts (MW), the Photovoltaic Solar complex is owned by Spanish company Acciona, a world leader in renewable energy. They have chosen this location due to maximum temperature records reached here in summer.

The quality and quantity of solar radiation in this area, allied to the "availability” of land, led Acciona to "gamble" and invest 261 million euros in a project conceived six years ago by the "visionary" mayor of Moura.

It has now been working for four months, but over the next 25 years this plant will produce 93 giga watts / hour (GWh) of energy per year, an output sufficient to supply 35 thousand homes and save approximately 90 tons of greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions.

The factory plant, which during installation employed 220 temporary workers, will create about 15 permanent jobs, mostly in maintenance services.

The project includes a factory for production of photovoltaic panels, also owned by Acciona and running in Moura and should create 100 to 110 permanent jobs.

The factory plant, which has been well publicised throughout the world for being the largest, also has an "educational" interest and is a potential "showcase" of photovoltaic technology, which, despite not being fully mature, is very evolved.

São Martinho Bay–excellent location to invest on the Silver Coast

Sao Martinho do Porto is one of the best locations on the Silver Coast for several reasons:

Its beauty and unique shell-shaped bay make this village an attractive place for tourists and locals alike. Every time the sun shines on a winter’s day, the town immediately springs to life and people come out of nowhere to enjoy the scenario, take a walk on the promenade, or visit a coffee shop. Restaurants and the small shops get very busy. This is a prime location on the Silver Coast for the Portuguese.

Sao Martinho Bay has the most stable property growth on the Silver Coast. This magnificent location has a great combination for the foreign market. In the summer it is very busy, which is great in terms of rentals, and between March and the end of May owners can come out and enjoy a holiday. Throughout the rest of the year there are some holiday periods and long weekends that attract the Spanish tourist market and, since this location doesn’t offer reasonable hotel accommodation, renting apartments becomes the solution. Sao Martinho is actually known as a family destination and renting apartments is much more pleasant them a hotel room.

The village of Sao Martinho Bay has all amenities within walking distance and you will find that there is no need for a car. There have been noticeable improvements over the last 3 years, attracting more and more people to this village and, of course, that reflects on the property market. Some of the improvements were: The promenade, side walks, beach paths, cycle track, panoramic elevator (includes the tourism office in the building).

Sao Martinho Bay is one of the most central beach locations on the Silver Coast, enabling the tourist to explore the region, without spending hours behind the wheel. Heading north, Nazare is the nearest town (11 kilometres) but you can easily get to Fatima (well-known for religious pilgrimage), Alcobaca or Batalha which have beautiful monasteries well worth visting. Heading south there are another handful of wonders to discover: from the city of Caldas da Rainha, well-known for its street market, beautiful park and, if you are keen on shopping, this is one of the largest cities of the Silver Coast offering a variety of shopping choices. Obidos Castle is five minutes from Caldas and you shouldn’t miss it as it is a world heritage site protected by Unesco. Obidos offers a variety of festivals throughout the year, such as the Chocolate festival. Peniche is one of the oldest fisherman villages where you can get a boat trip to the Berlengas Islands. And don’t forget that Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is only 50 minutes away!.

The west coast of Portugal faces the Atlantic Ocean. If you are a surfer then you will appreciate the strong currents but, otherwise, you should choose locations like Sao Martinho Bay where you can swim and children can play in the water. Sao Martinho Bay is the safest place in the Silver Coast and you won’t find many other places where you can swim freely.

You have probably heard all this before but property is all about location, location, location!

One of the many houses sold on the Silver Coast of Portugal

Today I want to share my last client experience.

This client came to Portugal looking to buy a second-hand house in the Silver Coast. His idea was to buy a resale detached villa, with some privacy, where he could do some improvements (not a lot - perhaps just some painting and improving the garden and maybe even putting in a swimming pool). His budget was 150.000€ including what he wanted to spend on improvements.

1st Day – On the first day we took some time to look at some of the areas in the Silver Coast , mainly the Lourinha area, where there are many properties of this type and which are good value for money. We had a look at the main beach (Praia da Areia Branca) in the town of Lourinha so that they had a reference point to the properties I was going to show. I showed 4 houses but 2 of them needed too much work to be done. They were impressed with what they could get for their money but it wasn’t really what they wanted. The houses were of course old, so some had small rooms or small windows, kitchens needed improvement and some even needed the tiles in the bathrooms to be changed.

2nd Day - On the second day I told him we would be looking at new properties to give him a better feel for what he could get and compare them with the properties he had seen the previous day. Again, showing him the surrounding areas as this is as important as the property itself. We went to Cadaval where we looked at 2 properties, then moved on to another property with views of the Monte Junto Mountain (spectacular views) and stopped for lunch in a really nice typical small restaurant. After lunch we went for a walk in Obidos castle and went to see the last property in Salgueirinha - a quiet location some 10 minutes from Obidos Castle and Caldas da Rainha, which was our next stop. Caldas is definitely worth visiting as it is a lovely town where you can find everything: from shopping malls to street markets, banks, rail and bus links to Lisbon and the north, cinemas, parks, etc. From there we went to Foz do Arelho, where the Obidos lagoon meets the sea, so that they could see how close they were from the beach. Last, but not least, we went to Sao Martinho do Porto for a before heading back to Lisbon, which took us 50 minutes.






3rd Day – The decision day! They were really keen on the last property that was for sale at 165.000€ and also in another one for 155.000€. They decided that they wouldn’t go over their initial budget of 150.000€ so they wanted me to make an offer for that amount on the 165.000€ property. If it was refused they would try the other one. I knew that 3 weeks ago the developer had turned down a similar offer, but still tried anyway explaining that if he didn’t accept the offer they were going to buy another one. It took the developer some 30 minutes to phone back accepting the offer, on condition that the client sign the deed within a maximum period of a month and a half. The clients were delighted and we when to the lawyer to reserve it.

These photos were taken a few month ago and the house is now ready and lovely.

Buying and selling property, when is the best time?

People have always bought property when the market is growing, or even booming, but the reality is that markets are roller coasters and it is in times like these that you can make good money in the property market.

• When to sell
The best time in the market to sell property is, of course, when prices are high but how do you know if its not going to rise even further? This is what everyone wants to know and it pays to be realistic regarding the value of your property, what you paid for it and how fast it has appreciated in value (capital growth). Remember it is only a gain when you actually sell it - otherwise it is just a potential gain and it can fall fast! Waiting for signs of depreciation is never a good idea. Usually you will only know after a few months and by then the supply is growing fast and prices are dropping.
My advice is to set a target and sell once you have reached it. Remember, greed can lead you to miss the opportunity of a very good sale. Set a value target and a time frame.

• When to buy
The same logic is applied here – the time to sell is when there is a downward trend, like now. Markets have fallen, prices are low and it is impossible to lose money. Markets can still depreciate but not significantly and once the market starts picking up it can still take a few months to know whether you have benefited. If you wait for the market to start picking up you will miss the best and fastest growth.
In the current situation, market prices are incredible and developers are actually loosing money by selling but they need to keep working and for that they need cash flow.

• Silver Coast of Portugal Market
I work in the Silver Coast of Portugal and I have seen deals that were unthinkable three years ago. Properties that are being sold far below their real value in plots worth half of the selling price. Clients that came out wanting to buy second-hand houses because they thought they could get more for their money, have ended up with new properties far better than what they initially where looking for on the resale market.

In my honest opinion the market is already changing as there is less supply, with some developers already holding out for the asking prices, instead of selling for lower prices but this is something to confirm 3 months from now.
Portugal has a solid banking system and here you can still get a mortgage, as long as the property value is right and you have a steady income. Banks are lending up to 80% of the valuation on the property, subject to certain conditions and after assessing your financial situation.

All this to state that if you dreamed of a second home in Portugal and you didn’t buy two years ago, you belong to the lucky few that can now get a bargain and appreciate a great investment as well as a great country.

Why Silver Coast of Portugal great place to live and invest in property

1 The Silver Coast of Portugal is one of the most stable markets in Europe.
One of the reasons is that we are not as aggressive as other countries in terms of self-promotion. Our growth has come mainly from the national market where people have relocated to places nearer to the coast line and major cities.
Regarding the foreign market, there is a great demand from people who are retired or about to retire and want to live in a calm location with lots of sunshine, and where the cost of living is one of the lowest in Europe. Investors are attracted to the potential growth and rental income.

2 The Silver Coast offers Great Value for your money
Property prices did not suffer a marked increase or a sharp fall making the Silver Coast a stable growing location. Although we feel the area is worth a lot more, it is growing steadily in popularity and demand with prices following that flow.

3 Silver Coast Exceptional locations
The Silver Coast has it all; from some of the best golf courses in Europe to miles of white sandy beaches and sunshine all year. These are the main attractions for holiday makers but we have a lot more. The Silver Coast is where the main battles took place in the past and where history was made. There are a vast number of castles, monasteries, places of religious interest and historical monuments from Obidos Castle (world heritage), Fatima, Nazare, Batalha, to Mafra… so you see in Portugal we have lots more to offer - not just the beaches or Golf courses.

4 Portugal is One of the safest countries in Europe
Portugal has the 2nd lowest crime rate per capita, and as long as you take normal precautions, you can stroll freely during the day or night.

5 Portugal's Modern infrastructures
Since joining the European Community in 1996, Portugal has made huge strides in renewing and upgrading its infrastructures. Now we are proud to say that the quality of our roads, railway and buses compare favourably with other European destinations.

6 Portuguese Building regulations
By not being in the front line of tourism destinations, we have seen what others have done and learned from their mistakes. The Portuguese government has restricted construction, with several laws being introduced, so as not to spoil or over-develop the Silver Coast, as well as other areas in Portugal.

7 Cherish the Portuguese lifestyle and Traditions
The Silver Coast is not a holiday location that has forgotten about its population and traditions. They are just as busy during the low season and traditional fairs and festivals are held throughout the year. Prices generally tend to remain steady and there is not a marked difference between local and foreign tourism. We are known for being one of the friendliest people in the world.