Property Guide
Getting Started
Whether buying or selling a property in Portugal your first port of call is to enlist the help of a licensed Estate Agent. Luso Living is registered under AMI nº 17325, issued by IMPIC (The Institute of Public Markets, Real Estate & Construction) and are fully licensed to ensure a professional service up to and beyond your completion date.
Below are some starting pointers as you set out on your journey of finding or selling your home in the Algarve but for more detailed information please contact us to receive our complete Property Guide booklet.
Buying a Property
We take time to listen to what buyers are looking for and most importantly what is available within their budget, so that the exciting part of viewing and finding the right investment can begin in earnest.
While many of our properties are shown on our website if you do not see what you are looking for drop us a line as we may have just the thing on our books that has not been listed as yet.
We offer all buyers who purchase through Luso Living a complimentary 12 month Property Management service to help you settle in and assist with all aspects of owing a property in Portugal, even keeping an eye on your home when unoccupied if required.
Selling Your Property
When the time comes to sell everyone will have their own individual requirements. We understand that for some a quick sale is important, while for others waiting for the best deal is the objective.
If your home needs some TLC then we can also assist to freshen it up ready for viewings to reach it´s full potential. We will assist in compiling the relevant paperwork necessary to have your property listed on our and our partners websites to gain maximum exposure. We will discuss the best marketing plan for you, including presenting your home at national and international property exhibitions or via modern technology with professional photographs or even a drone vídeo.
Mortgage & Finance
You may be suprised to learn that it is possible to take out a mortgage with a Portuguese bank even though you are a non residente in Portugal. This may be for the purchase of your property, to build your own home or even a bridging loan to secure your dream property while you await the sale of your own.
Our recommended partners can assist you to find the right mortgage lender for your needs and guide you through the paperwork application procedure, opening of your bank account and the valuation process right through to deed completion.
Contact us for more details as you may be best placed to obtain an approval in principle even before deciding on which property to buy.
Currency Exchange
Due the large sums of money involved in a property purchase it makes sense to use a Currency Exchange company to make your money stretch that little bit further.
Benefit from better exchange rates and most importantly when selling your home knowing in advance the exact amount you'll receive from the proceeds of the sale. It also means not having to travel to Portugal to transfer funds to your home country due to restrictions on online banking transfer limits.
We can recommend reputable specialist foreign exchange providers who are based locally such as GC Partners
Red Tape
As you would expect there is a papertrail involved when buying or selling a property, but this does not have to be a daunting experience, many buyers are pleasantly suprised how stress free the process can be if accompanied by a reputable Estate Agent.
By giving a Power of Attorney to a local Lawyer they will be able to save you from numerous trips to sign or obtain documents. Luso Living will work hand in hand with both you & your Lawyer to ensure a smooth handover to obtaining your property keys.
Ask for a copy of our step by step buying guide that includes further information such as the safety of promissory contracts, stamp duty and taxes involved plus recommendations to make a will.