Property inspection trips to Portugal

Before booking the plane tickets for your property inspection trip, you are clear as to why you want to buy a property in Portugal and you have prepared your wish list. You have identified the region you are interested in, and now you are eager to visit many properties and hoping that maybe you’ll find the property of your dreams in your next inspection trip.

You take several days off work to fly to Portugal and you are motivated to go from estate agent to estate agent and collect information and brochures of properties of potential interest. But the prices of all the properties you like are beyond your budget or do not fit your the requirements in your wish list. Each conversation you have with a real estate agent further dampens your enthusiasm. You return home after a long tiring inspection trip disillusioned and wondering if you will ever get into buying a property in Portugal.

If this sounds familiar, you can rest assured in the knowledge that many other property buyers have suffered the same experience. The initial disillusionment is replaced by the realization that you will have to make some compromises on your property investment. You may have to look at different locations further from the coast and look for a smaller property.

First you need to decide on one or more locations, and you should concentrate your search in those areas. You will want to know all of the properties that are on the market and coming to various inspections trips in the areas you have chosen. Use the internet, you can do a lot of research from your home before you come over on a next property viewing inspection trip. Search the property websites that cover the areas you have chosen. The information you gather will help you to identify properties that are available and give you an idea of the prices.

On your actual inspection trip, drive around the locations you have selected, and look at the properties that are for sale. Make a note of the estate agents selling them, and call to their offices. Ask about the local market, and gather brochures of properties of interest. Find out if there are many properties available and if they know of suitable properties that will be coming to the market. Leave details of your requirements so they can contact you when they get a new property that may be to your liking.

Start your property viewings as soon as possible. You will learn more about what you want after each viewing, and you will gain a better understanding of what you can get for your money.

By following these steps you will know all of the suitable properties that come to the market and you will have a better chance of finding your dream home.

Property viewing checklist – Will help you to be thorough with your property viewings.

Questions to ask – To gather all the relevant information you need to ask the right questions.

Disclaimer
The above information is provided as guidance only and does not form part of any contract. You must seek professional assistance before making any buying decision. Currency equivalents are indicative only and should be checked with your bank. All information is subject to alteration without prior notice.