Fantastic Investment Opportunity in Sao Martinho do Porto

Anyone looking to invest in property on the Silver Coast of Portugal will be very interested in this fantastic opportunity.

The owner of this fabulous 4 bedroom duplex apartment in the heart of Sao Martinho do Porto has just asked us to reduce the price as they now need a quick sale. This means that for just €145,000 you can be the proud owner of a beautiful four bedroom, two bathroom property in one of the best locations on the Silver Coast - Sao Martinho do Porto.

This is an usual property as it has been divided into two self contained units each having two bedrooms and two bathrooms, this clever arrangement means that there are several possibilities for living and letting. It would be a very straight forward process to reverse the work and restore the property back to one four bedroom duplex if required. There is also a large garage in the basement with parking for two cars.

This property is situated just a 5 minute walk from the beach. It is now very competitively priced and a great investment, but you had better move fast as opportunities like this don’t come along very often.


By Stephanie Johnson

Prestige Portugal Property Offer a Property Finding Service

The Silver Coast of Portugal is famous for its varied landscape, temperate climate and friendly people and as such, is a fabulous place to visit and possibly invest in a second home.

We at Prestige Portugal Property are perfectly placed to help you find your dream home on the Silver Coast with our office in Sao Martinho do Porto being right in the heart of the action (so to speak!).

We have many beautiful properties on our books but also offer a property finding service whereby you can give us a brief and then let us go and find the perfect place for you. It’s much easier for us to do this being right here on the spot, and with so many wonderful properties to choose from you really shouldn’t have to settle for anything less than perfect.

Contact us today with a description of your ideal Silver Coast property and sit back and relax while we do all the hard work and find it for you.

Simple!


By Stephanie Johnson

More Preparations for A Place in the Sun Live

Here on the Silver Coast things are starting to hot up as we continue preparations for A Place in the Sun Live, the overseas property exhibition that will be taking place at Earls Court, London at the end of this month.

Prestige Portugal Property will be on stand E63 in the Portuguese area and in order to make our stand look professional and inviting there is an awful lot of work to do. We know we have the best properties for sale on the Silver Coast, but we need to make sure that visitors to the show realise that as well!

A Place in the Sun Live is the biggest and best overseas property exhibition in the UK and always attracts an enthusiastic crowd. There is a large area dedicated to Portugal offering help and advice from developers, agents and a legal firm. The event will also be attended by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce who will be on hand to answer questions from visitors.

There are celebrity events and seminars on important subjects such as legal procedures, renting out your property, mortgages, banking, taxes and much more.

If you would like to visit us at the show then please let us know and we will be delighted to send you some free tickets.


By Stephanie Johnson

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

A Place in the Sun Live!

The office here at Prestige Portugal Property is buzzing as we make preparations for our entry to A Place in the Sun Live Exhibition which is taking place at London's Earl’s Court from 26th – 28th March.

There is so much to do to ensure that visitors to our stand realise all the benefits of owning a home here on the Silver Coast. It’s easy to see once you are here, but sometimes pictures just don’t do justice to this beautiful part of the world.

It is hard to capture the atmosphere of delightful places such as Sao Martinho do Porto unless you are actually here, maybe sitting outside a seafront café sipping a glass of local wine in the sunshine. Imagining walking on the beach and feeling the soft sand between your toes and the sun on your face is also quite difficult especially if you are wrapped up warm against the British weather.

But we are working on it!

The Prestige Portugal stand (number E63 in the Portuguese Pavilion), will be staffed by a team of my colleagues all of whom have made the decision themselves to move to Portugal. As I mentioned earlier this week, we have a wealth of experience to draw on to enable us to give honest straight forward help and advice to prospective buyers.

Look out for further blogs on this exciting event, but in the meantime make a note in your diary and we will look forward to seeing you there.


By Stephanie Johnson

Property on the Silver Coast in Portugal - a Great Investment

There has never been a better time to buy property on Portugal's Silver Coast. Yes, I am sure you have heard this before, but the theory has never been more apparent than it is now.

Silver Coast property is currently being tipped as an excellent investment from many sources with prices for re-sale apartments regularly out stripping new build, providing generous profits for investors.

There are also great opportunities for letting your property with rental accommodation proving very popular in delightful locations such as Sao Martinho do Porto and Nazare.

With mortgage rates still proving to be a bargain, buying a property on the Silver Coast either purely as an investment or as a holiday home for yourself and your family could be the smartest move you make all year.

By Stephanie Johnson

Latest Property Listing: Luxury Obidos Villa

Surrounded by lush forest, a minute’s walk from the Obidos Lagoon and just 5 minutes drive from Obidos Castle, golden beaches and championship golf courses you will find this gorgeous luxury villa, beautifully finished including exotic stone and marble, built in surround sound, air conditioning, fully fitted kitchen and a private pool.

The perfect location in the heart of Portugal's Silver Coast.

View more . . .

Pass the Port!

The great British tradition of drinking Port after dinner is enjoyed by a greater number of people at Christmas time than at any other.

This delicious fortified wine comes only from the Douro valley a scenic drive north of the Silver Coast in Portugal. This beautiful wine growing area is one of the oldest in the world officially demarcated in 1756. The landscape has changed little since Roman times when vines were first planted on these slopes.

The north of Portugal is subject to higher rainfall than we have here on the Silver Coast, making the conditions ideal for growing the grapes used in port.

Port as we know it today first appeared in the 17th century when brandy was added to the rich red wine stopping the fermenting process and leaving more sugar, producing a sweeter, fortified wine that travelled well to Great Britain.

In the UK there is much ceremony and ritual attached to drinking port, such as only passing the bottle to the left when sitting around a dining table, the ladies leaving the table to allow the gentlemen to enjoy their port and cigars, (I can’t imagine many men getting away with that these days!) and at state banquets the Queen always makes the toast with port.

Due to the changes in our dining habits these days the port wine industry has decided it is time to reinvent itself and appeal to younger consumers, and their campaign appears to be working.

According to one of Britain’s port wine experts 48% of port in the UK is drunk by women and 45% is drunk by people under the age of 45.

Owning a property on the Silver Coast in locations such as Sao Martinho do Porto, Salir do Porto or Nazare would make it very easy for you to pop up to the Douro valley to sample the delights of the port wine lodges dotted along the banks of the river.

Then, if it rains you can always pop back down to your villa or apartment again and soak up a bit more Silver Coast sunshine.

Cheers!

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

The Silver Coast Community

As the proud new father of a beautiful baby boy I am becoming more aware of how important family values are and to the benefit of living in a community. We have all heard the expression that a country is made up of its people and this is definitely the case in Portugal. In Portugal the relevance placed on preserving the traditional family unit is immense.

It is not uncommon to see entire generations of the same family living within a few miles of each other. Especially in the Silver Coast region which, thankfully has preserved traditional family values whilst embracing the future. There is an embedded sense of community here where everybody is on a first name basis. There is also a sense of comfort that just cannot be explained in words, when you become part of the Silver Coast community you become part of something which unfortunately does not seem to exist anymore in modern society. Here we smile as we walk the beach, we cross the road to speak to our neighbor, we look out for each other, everyone is accepted and welcome in the Silver Coast Community.

If this sounds idyllic to you, then be sure to check out Nazare, São Martinho do Porto and Obidos. Prestige Property Portugal is the leading real estate company on the Silver Coast and we have fantastic properties at bargain prices in these seaside towns.

Become part of the Silver Coast Community TODAY.

By Colm Wilkinson

How to choose the right agent (Part 4)

What you need when attempting to purchase a property here in Portugal is an honest, hard working and straight talking Estate Agent who will act in your best interests and can be assured that if they put in the work they will get the reward. That last part may sound a little out of place but think about it this way, if you try to work with every agent in the country then firstly you will not build a relationship with any of them and secondly each agent will show you the best villa or apartment they have on that day and then forget about you because they know that you are going to meet another 100 agents afterwards.

Is it not then better for you to have one Agent who puts 110% effort in finding you exactly what you want, rather than many agents who really don’t put in any effort at all? As I mentioned before, maybe it won’t happen the first trip but rest assured if you build a good relationship with that one Agent then he will still be working for you after you have gone home. Even if you see a property online you could ask your agent to go check it out and send you more photos or additional information etc. How much will this cost you? NOTHING AT ALL. Estate Agents in Portugal are paid by the vendor so take advantage of that fact.

So what Agent should you choose to work with here in Portugal? That is an easy one …….. The best Real Estate Agent in Portugal is without a doubt “Prestige Portugal”. We have offices in the Algarve, Lisbon and the Silver Coast. Licensed and regulated by INCI our AMI number is 5185. For more information please visit the “about us” section of our website.

By Colm Wilkinson

How to choose the righ agent (Part 3)

Ask your friends if they have bought in Portugal, talk to them about their experiences and learn from them. Make a shortlist of Agents who you think you would like to work with and interview them one by one. Pick up the phone or send them an e-mail, give them your property requirements and then ask them why you should choose them to work with. Some agents can sell any property in their chosen area, even if the property you really like the look of is listed on another agent’s site. This is via inter-agency agreements if the property is exclusive to the other Agent.

Once you have chosen an Estate Agent to work with then do be loyal to that Agent. Portugal is not a big country and if you have decided on a specific location, like the Silver Coast, then it is even smaller. A good agent will work hard on your behalf and even if it takes a couple of trips back to Portugal to find the perfect property the relationship that you build with that agent will be invaluable to you in the future. Many clients arrive in Portugal to view property without prior contact with any Agents. These clients then proceed to work their way from one Estate Agent to another each time attempting to explain what their requirements are whilst loosing track of the number of properties they have seen and getting more confused.

By Colm Wilkinson

How to choose the right Estate Agent in Portugal (part 1)

We have all heard the horror stories of un-suspecting purchasers of overseas property being ripped off by agents. The overseas property industry is still largely unregulated although that is not the case for registered and licensed Estate Agents in Portugal. Each registered Estate Agent in Portugal will have an “AMI” license number (Associacão de Mediadores Imobiliarios) which is issued by the governing body for Portuguese Real Estate Agents “INCI” (Instituto da Construcao e do Imobiliária). To obtain this license agents must be trained and certified by INCI and undertake a proficiency exam every 3 years.

The large proportion of Overseas Property Companies who sell foreign property are NOT licensed or regulated in the individual countries that they operate. If you are considering a property purchase in Portugal then it makes more sense for you to use a Portuguese based and licensed Estate Agent. You will then have the peace of mind that the company you put your trust in will be regulated in the country that you purchase in. When looking at property on the Silver Coast you need to be sure that you are dealing with a legitimate company and whether acquiring property in Nazare, São Martinho do Porto, Obidos, Foz do Arelho or Caldas da Rainha you want a company that knows and operates in these areas.

By Colm Wilkinson

Property Investment tips (Part 2)

Portugal is an investors paradise . It is an established and well known tourist destination yet is also hugely popular with the holiday home buyers and the retirement community due to its easy access and year round good weather . Obviously as an investor there are three important points to consider when weighing up the merits of any real estate opportunity . 1) Value for money , location , quality etc . 2) How do you intend to service the running costs during the hold period of the investment ? 3) How do you intend to realize your investment , the all important exit strategy .

It is simple to invest wisely in property if you approach it logically and do your homework . Make sure to purchase a property that is appealing to holiday makers (for rental returns) so that you can service the costs of the property during the growth period but also make sure that it is a property which in the future will be appealing to potential buyers , for example think about buyers who would like a retirement property to spend the winter months . It is this profile of client who will have the most to spend on an overseas property in the future as they will have benefited from the 90s – mid 2000 property boom in the UK and Ireland on their residential property . Many of these people will end up downsizing at home and buying an overseas home with the left over funds .

You should be asking yourselves the question where in Portugal offers the best investment potential today ? Well there are certain areas in the Algarve that are indeed interesting such as the Eastern Algarve , more so because it is not a heavily developed as other areas of the Algarve and prices are more realistic . The real winner however is the SILVER COAST region of the country , located just 40 minutes drive from Lisbon this area boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe , one of the lowest costs of living in Portugal and high quality low density development which is still in keeping with traditional Portuguese design .

By Colm Wilkinson

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

Sand Castles on the Silver Coast

The beautiful beach of Areia Branca on the Silver Coast will host the 52nd edition of the ‘Diario de Noticias Sand Castle Competition’. On the 6th of September families will flock to the beach to take part in the competition and enjoy glorious weather on a gorgeous beach.

Similar competitions have been held on no less than 29 beaches throughout the country, the most recent being in Lourinha on the 8th of August where sculptures of marine life seemed to be the favoured theme of the day.

A group of competitors will take to the white sands of Areia Branca eager to impress judges and spectators alike. Find out which property is just 200m's from this beautiful beach . . .

It promises to be another wonderful day on the Silver Coast.

By Ricardo Santo

New live support service on our site

Vistors to our site and our blog can now chat live with us. As a company we value the relationships we develop with our clients and this new facility can now keep the conversation going. Users are now able to visit the website and communicate directly with a consultant, live.

Now if a visitor on the site wants to discuss something they read on the blog or a property they have just seen that interests them, they may do so immediately without having to leave a message or comment and wait for a response. Weekdays between 9am and 6pm website and blog vistors may interact with a dedicated on line consultant.

Interact live over the Silver Coast and Algarve news on the blog, enquire directly about any apartments, townhouses or villas, you may even ask us how the weather is.

We invite you to join us.

PrestigePortugal €250 cash-back property tour

The search for a villa or apartment abroad, for sale can be a daunting task: Where to invest? Which location? How does the process work? Where do I get a mortgage? How do I appoint a solicitor? What about the language? Where do I start? Let PrestigePortugal help you with €250 cash towards your property tour travel expenses. A holiday apartment or villa is often the second largest investment that a family will make after the purchase of their own home. The same needs and concerns apply such as location, family security, quality and price.

Where to begin?
Begin by contacting a reputable agent who understands your unique needs and desires, and is able to accompany you and your family, professionally through the entire experience:Research the location Finding the right home Purchasing the apartment or villa

Property rental and after-care
PrestigePortugal Property (DM & JR Mediacao Imobiliaria SA) is a leading licensed real estate company (AMI 5185) with a Capital Social of 50,000€, specializing in the sale of Portuguese property to foreign clients. The Property Tour we offer you is structured, informative and professional, there is no other real estate company, you can buy from, with our proven experience and commitment to service. We are an associate member of the, Leisure Launch International Property Group, Europe’s leading investment property development group. Our associate companies are all businesses who specialize in various levels of service in the property industry including; land banking, development, construction, realty, property rental and property management. We have offices in the most popular Portuguese holiday home locations including Algarve, Lisbon and Silver Coast, with access to a portfolio of hundreds of villas and apartments for sale, covering all properties from a secluded villa in the hills, to a front line beach apartment with panoramic views of the Ocean.

Property Tour
We organize structured individual Property Tours for foreign buyers to view property whilst gaining an insight into the Portuguese Property Market. Buyers are accompanied by our; English, Portuguese and Russian speaking consultants resident in Portugal; who ensure a personal and professional service with expertise, experience and local knowledge of the location.

What can you expect from a property tour?

Don’t hesitate! Contact us today! Register on-line TODAY and benefit from a €250 cash-back offer.PrestigePortugal will pay first time buyers €250 cash towards your hotel and flight expenses on your property buying tour in Portugal, terms and conditions apply.

Book your Property Tour Today!

Offer valid for 30 days, terms and conditions apply
Email: info@prestigeportugal.com

Call: Dylan: +351 925 005 632 (English)
Veronika: +351 965 297 476 (Russian)
Nuno: +351 969 554 483 (Portuguese)

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

Lowest taxes in the country

The Mayor of Caldas da Rainha, Fernando Costa, has accepted his nomination as the PSD (centre right) candidate for the local mayoral election and most likely another term in office. Fernando Costa has over 24 years of experience in the position as mayor, one of the longest uninterrupted terms to be served by a mayor on the Silver Coast - Portugal.

This announcement should come as good news to many of his supporters on the Silver Coast. During an interview with the Caldas Gazette he reaffirmed his commitment to low taxes “Caldas will continue to have the lowest taxes in the country and I am committed to reducing them even further.” Silver Coast Property owners will be relieved to hear this, especially those who own properties in the Caldas da Rainha municipal district, which includes the Jardins de Salir development in Salir do Porto, located on the hillside overlooking the bay of São Martinho do Porto and Foz do Arelho or Nadadouro on the shores of the Obidos lagoon.

Should he be re-elected the mayor has affirmed that he will continue with his campaign to:·

Hospital Oeste Norte

- Canvass the central government to locate the new Silver Coast hospital in the Caldas municipal district.·

Thermal Springs

- Restore the Caldas da Rainha, reputation as the leading centre for thermal treatment with the revitalization of the world’s oldest public hospital for thermal treatment.·

Art and Culture

– The mayor plans to increase the budget for Museums and promote cultural tourism to attract more visitors to the region.

The likely re-election of the mayor will mean that the council will continue with its programme to improve its coast line. The pedestrian and cycle track around the Obidos lagoon has been completed in time for the summer and the swimming pool and parking facilities at Salir do Porto should be complete in time for the summer holidays.

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.

Portugal Property Blog

Prestige Portugal is about to launch The Portugal Property Blog stay tuned for the official release of our new communication platform.
We will be blogging about the Silver Coast, the Lisbon Coast, and the Algarve.
Feel free to contribute with ideas, comments, suggestions, etc...