Buying an apartment
Apr 1st 2015, 5:48 pm
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 151
Re: Buying an apartment
The irony is that in our area the Chinese have bought complete stalled developments rumoured to be a vehicle for the " golden Visa " scheme.
There is definetly a case that smaller more established developments with a significant existing population of owners are to be preffered.You may pay a little more but in the long term it will be worth it.
It terms of maximising the potential and income from renting you may find the the central Algarve would be better simply because that is where the majority of tourists go.
High season rates for decent 2 bed apartments on a good development £700/week plus ( gross ).
There is definetly a case that smaller more established developments with a significant existing population of owners are to be preffered.You may pay a little more but in the long term it will be worth it.
It terms of maximising the potential and income from renting you may find the the central Algarve would be better simply because that is where the majority of tourists go.
High season rates for decent 2 bed apartments on a good development £700/week plus ( gross ).
Apr 8th 2015, 3:49 pm
#17
Smokn Joy
Joined: Jan 2015
Location: Wonderful Portugal
Posts: 774
Re: Buying an apartment
Hi there, we just arrived in Portugal for the first time the end of January 2015. We bought our dream investment apartment in Cabanas de Tavira for 20k less then the asking price, we can walk to the beach and shops, have a lovely saltwater pool + kiddie pool with a Snack bar...HAPPY as clams we are. If you search under our POSTS here you can follow our search and purchase process (and read all the good advise we got from the members who came here before us). Oh, and we are now both Portuguese residents as well. We just came home from another delicious lunch of: vino, olive 'n bread, Fava bean 'n pork stew, with a coffee for Euros 7.00! As serious eaters on a budget we've died and gone to Heaven being here! Good luck on manifesting your dreams. 
Apr 8th 2015, 4:03 pm
#18
Smokn Joy
Joined: Jan 2015
Location: Wonderful Portugal
Posts: 774
Re: Buying an apartment
Quick Note: our apartment complex is 'Costa de Cabanas' located between Conciecao and Cabanas. The early owners went through pure Hell dealing with the now-defunct-Irish-bad-boy developer (currently in jail in Brazil). But many of the owners persevered took over the management of the place and run a nice, clean, tidy complex. They are so friendly and welcoming and meet up for coffees, beers and such. Luckily we don't 'see from the windows' much in the way of ugly re-bar exposed "ghost estates". We have an active farm on one side and lovely old Portuguese homes on the other side and (thank GOD) NO incessant barking dogs, just a stewing rooster who thinks 04h35 is dawn! There are still a couple of apartments for sale here.
Apr 8th 2015, 4:04 pm
#19
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 12
Re: Buying an apartment
Hi there, we just arrived in Portugal for the first time the end of January 2015. We bought our dream investment apartment in Cabanas de Tavira for 20k less then the asking price, we can walk to the beach and shops, have a lovely saltwater pool + kiddie pool with a Snack bar...HAPPY as clams we are. If you search under our POSTS here you can follow our search and purchase process (and read all the good advise we got from the members who came here before us). Oh, and we are now both Portuguese residents as well. We just came home from another delicious lunch of: vino, olive 'n bread, Fava bean 'n pork stew, with a coffee for Euros 7.00! As serious eaters on a budget we've died and gone to Heaven being here! Good luck on manifesting your dreams.
Apr 8th 2015, 4:18 pm
#20
Smokn Joy
Joined: Jan 2015
Location: Wonderful Portugal
Posts: 774
Re: Buying an apartment
Yes stormy here too, but what fabulous day for hanging out on the sofa with me Pat, readn' 'n chattn'. Nuttn' like a wet day to open up some conversation with your sweetheart, yes? Gotta say though, as a old Californian I see Vilamoura as 'wannabe' beach resort...but just my personal opinion. I like the sleepiness of my crossover 'active fishing-village/retirees toddle-town' of Cabanas.
Most especially I like that I can walk from my front door for hours under some massive pines, the shadows of a 17th century fort, across the almond orchards, swing back along the beach and return to a cuppa and a bit of a chat with strangers on the promenade.
Life is good.
Most especially I like that I can walk from my front door for hours under some massive pines, the shadows of a 17th century fort, across the almond orchards, swing back along the beach and return to a cuppa and a bit of a chat with strangers on the promenade.
Life is good.
Last edited by Munsterfan; Apr 8th 2015 at 4:19 pm. Reason: poor word usage
Apr 8th 2015, 6:29 pm
#21
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2015
Location: Ireland
Posts: 20
Re: Buying an apartment
Munsterfan: I love your 'tell it like it is' messages. I've been following you from the start so know of your journey! We will be there soon and as always we will enjoy every minute of our stay.
Apr 8th 2015, 9:39 pm
#22
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 12
Re: Buying an apartment
Yes stormy here too, but what fabulous day for hanging out on the sofa with me Pat, readn' 'n chattn'. Nuttn' like a wet day to open up some conversation with your sweetheart, yes? Gotta say though, as a old Californian I see Vilamoura as 'wannabe' beach resort...but just my personal opinion. I like the sleepiness of my crossover 'active fishing-village/retirees toddle-town' of Cabanas.
Most especially I like that I can walk from my front door for hours under some massive pines, the shadows of a 17th century fort, across the almond orchards, swing back along the beach and return to a cuppa and a bit of a chat with strangers on the promenade.
Life is good.
Most especially I like that I can walk from my front door for hours under some massive pines, the shadows of a 17th century fort, across the almond orchards, swing back along the beach and return to a cuppa and a bit of a chat with strangers on the promenade.
Life is good.
Apr 9th 2015, 8:32 am
#23
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 970
Re: Buying an apartment
Don't forget Fuzeta!! 
Apr 9th 2015, 9:03 am
#25
Smokn Joy
Joined: Jan 2015
Location: Wonderful Portugal
Posts: 774
Re: Buying an apartment
VeganDJH PM for contact details if you want to catch up when in the area. FuzetaJan has a really lovely place for sale and there is a fantastic place to eat in her town of Fuzeta... can you give the name Jan?
Apr 9th 2015, 9:19 am
#26
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 970
Re: Buying an apartment
It's the Capri, in the square. Shut on Thursday's though 
Car boot sale in Fuzeta on Sunday - and the sun should be shining - can always meet up for coffee?
Car boot sale in Fuzeta on Sunday - and the sun should be shining - can always meet up for coffee?
Apr 9th 2015, 9:30 am
#27
Smokn Joy
Joined: Jan 2015
Location: Wonderful Portugal
Posts: 774
Re: Buying an apartment
Sounds good we LOVE car boot sales...Sunday yes?
Apr 9th 2015, 9:31 am
#28
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 12
Re: Buying an apartment
Sounds lovely guys but we're only getting a couple of days there with the kids in tow to get an initial feel for the area so not sure we'll get time on this first visit. If we like it we'll be back for a more in depth search though!
Apr 9th 2015, 10:43 am
#29
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 970
Re: Buying an apartment
Yes, Sunday Deb.
Starts about 9.00, but if you can get there early ish, you might not have to walk too far.
We won't be there until later - we just sit at a cafe and people watch - but it's quite big and lots of rubbish,
but also lots of good stuff.
Sorry if we miss you veganDJH
Starts about 9.00, but if you can get there early ish, you might not have to walk too far.
We won't be there until later - we just sit at a cafe and people watch - but it's quite big and lots of rubbish,
but also lots of good stuff. Sorry if we miss you veganDJH
Apr 9th 2015, 5:05 pm
#30
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2009
Location: UK & Tavira
Posts: 29
Re: Buying an apartment
We are coming over tomorrow so might venture to the car boot on Sunday. Love watching people too. . . . . we do a competition ' looky - likey ' celebrities ....who can get the most! Needless to say we sometimes forget names and then we have to chat about the programs they have been in. ( Sorry to gate crash the conversation!)