The real estate market, villas and apartments with swimming pool, sea view and highly competitive prices are strong factors of attraction. The desire to invest in a country that has not stopped appreciating since the 1980s is also decisive. In short, the investment is safe, the idea of living on national soil is extremely appealing, but within each region there are several neighbourhoods, streets, condominiums and resorts. Wouldn't you want to choose the best?
Remember that the first rule of the real estate market is: location. The second rule, too. And the third... also. Nothing is more important than location. When you think of buying a house, remember Ronaldo's sheep. And then remember that just as important as choosing a house is choosing the real estate agency where you're going to buy that house. Otherwise, how do you know, for example, if there are many planes passing over your property? Ignoring location is the mistake most often made when buying a house. Be sure of what you are looking for - excitement or silence? Centrality or privacy? - so you can be helped to find what you want.
All the technological tools that are available to any company today are important. In the real estate market, we can resort to professional photographers and use high-resolution images (have you ever wondered why such a small space can look so big in a photograph?), we can use 3D floor plans, virtual tours, FaceTime or even drones that show everything we can't see from the ground. However, how to photograph the light of a house? Or the temperature? Or the ambient sound?
Even if everything is possible from a distance, dispensing with a personal visit (preferably at two different times of the day, because of the light) is the second biggest mistake when buying a house. It is always important to make a competent inspection before buying a property and to be informed about all its specificities: plumbing and electrical system, facade and roof, condominium rules, etc. For better or worse, don't judge a house by its appearance.
It may be the most beautiful property in the world, but if it's not safe, what good will it do you? That was, also, one of the problems Cristiano Ronaldo pointed out to justify moving home in Manchester. Again, this episode could hardly happen in Portugal, where security is considered one of the main assets of the real estate market. For several years, Portugal has topped the list of the safest countries in the world, which implies a low violence rate and high public safety. In any case, it is possible to be afraid in a safe place. Or feel insecure for a long list of reasons of a personal nature. Also for this reason, it is fundamental to inform yourself about the dynamics of the place where you intend to buy a house. This includes checking the view, the neighbourhood and the services.
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Buying a house - for permanent or holiday residence - is serious business. Nobody likes throwing money out of the window or having a heartbreak with something they've wanted. That is why before falling in love with a property you should, as mentioned before, choose well the real estate agent you are going to negotiate with. This small step, if well thought out and decided on the basis of criteria such as transparency, trust and respectability of the sector, will radically shorten the whole bureaucratic process and above all avoid possible big problems in the future. Use this principle as a trick: an estate agent is not a salesman, he is a partner. If you can't see him this way, you are not with the right agent.
Are you prepared to hear what colour you can use on your balcony awning, where outside you can put your air conditioning boxes, what parking space you can park your car in or how often you should mow your garden or vacuum your swimming pool? For many people, the answer is no. But many people don't think about that when they decide to live in a resort or private condominium. If you like to dictate your own rules and do your chores in your own time, it's worth thinking about choosing a detached villa rather than a residential block with common rules. Read this text to find out which property - villa or apartment - fits your lifestyle best.
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