Where are the buyers going to come from?

pm · Post by pm » Fri Aug 12, 2005 6:48 pm

Anonymous wrote: Like it or not English was the agreed international "choice" and like so many matters here in Portugal, some Portuguese choose for the own purpose not to appear to understand which strangly enough seems to be Government Departments.

Dear Sir,

I find that shouting at Johnny Foreigner and waving my swagger stick pays dividends. If that doesn't work, the memsahib weighs in with her handbag. It's the only sort of language these blighters understand.
God Save the Queen

Yours
Major Stuck-in-the-19th-century (rtd)
Bromley

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 10:23 pm

Simlpy because so many of the Portuguese are not friendly......we ..English..(ER ..most of us) smile ..say hello....etc etc.......how many Portuguese do that.. Long faces..Grumpy Grump.....I have never met such a bunch of miserable people in my life....and yes I'm fluent in the language......I live here and employ staff..BUT......once you understand thet this is the way they are.....one then gets on with ones life....treat them as they treat you......and get on with your life.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 12:06 am

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 5:35 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote tbbr (as guest)
Well said bruxihna,

We the english are probably one of the worst nations to integrate with others although we demand that immigrants to the uk must conform.

Ie. Speak our language
attend our schools
Use our commercial and business practices
Accept our social standards and ways of behaviour however strange or offensive.
Pay our taxes and accept our laws and regulations without arguement.
----------------------------------------------
......Yeah right....except they don't......or haven't you been round the UK lately.
Southall,Hounslow,Bradford,Blackburn et al.
Immigrants to the UK now feel they can do as they wish.Own language/culture etc.
I went to london recently, (hardly England, I know) from kensington to leicester sq I did not hear a single english accent - not one. When I got served in leicester sq I had a job to make the guy serving understand me!
I find speaking english in portugal is easier than speaking english in london.
Nothing wrong in having your own culture within an area as long as you abide by the locals rules. (a good example in london is the chinese, been here for years - no problem, do their job and live (generally) within their own culture without causing a problem or forcing their ideals upon anyone else (OK we all eat rice now!)
Most portuguese I meet are decent people, especially away from the tourist areas!
The ones in the area are trying to make as much as possible while the money is there, wouldn't you?
When you get served by a miserable person just remember they are probably working for a bad boss - he is making a killing from you and they are paid a pittance.

Rant over.

Bruxinha · Post by **Bruxinha** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 11:31 am

I think I heard that there are 30,000 British living in the Algarve Digger...but there are probably a lot more than that, as that was only counting the ones that are officially registered i.e. residents...mind you that is due to be scraped, so not sure how they will count in the future

Do you know once I was sitting outside a cafe in Carvoeiro having a morning coffee and chatting with a mate and a English couple came along and said to the other British people sitting there "Good morning fellow colonists"

I sincerely hope they were joking...but I am not so sure. Sad fools...I really don't know what colony they thought they might be in...I thought I was in Europe, but there you go

I did hope that by learning Portuguese and being friendly to people here I would integrate as well as I had done previously in Italy. I have to say it has been extremely difficult and most of the friends I have ended up with are other foreigners e.g. Dutch, German, Belgian etc. The Portuguese friends I have like Sundance and others have all lived in other countries for a number of years and have a slightly different perspective of life. I have managed to "break into" a few families here and been invited to the snail eating sessions and stuff like that but being a single, 30 plus woman I am also considered a potential threat to civilisation. I think the Portuguese are on average VERY family orientated, conservative and narrow-minded and socialise mostly with their family and school friends from year dot. A foreigner is still viewed with a little suspicion, especially one like me. However, I have to say and being totally honest I am not sure if I would want to integrate a lot further. The culture here is a little alien to me, as Arab culture is and they are not dissimilar. I mean an independent, strong willed woman, who speaks her mind and doesn't want to cook, clean up, wash clothes, iron clothes and sit in the house waiting for "her man", who is sitting down the bar discussing Benfica most of the evening, to come home, is considered a bit of an oddity here. One Portuguese guy actually told me "you're dangerous"

Another told me that if I ever wanted a Portuguese man (perish the thought) I would have to learn how to cook or no man would consider a relationship with me worthwhile

Yes, most are a little on the "grumpy" side shall we say...maybe the women are because of the attitude I just mentioned above. I have just got used to it and tend to think well that is their problem not mine. Like the Budhists say, never expect anything from anyone then you won't be disappointed! I carrry on as I would anywhere in the world i.e. am polite and civil but firm and don't take too much bulls**t. If I have a greviance I put it in writing. I don't often get a reply, but at least I know I've tried. I also use a sneaky little trick...if I am dealing with a particularly stoney faced, jobsworth, bureacrat, I give them a little compliment, like "that's a nice top/shoes/necklace etc you are wearing. Where did you buy it?" Often works a treat and not only do I get a little smile, but they become a lot more helpful. I try to be genuine and not totally fake about it though.

Whoops...sorry...we've come a long way from "where are all the buyers coming from" haven't we? Interesting and thought provoking stuff though.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 12:01 pm

I always respect others opinions, so why or why do people always when they wish to make a statement commence by saying "we" English do not mixed with other nationalities "all" English love the late Queen Mum and so and so on. In my eyes I find these statements really unnerving and my mind wonders on such things as George Orwell's book 1984.

Education and the teaching of the curriculm in England is dictated to teachers by the Governement of the day. In so far as lanuage, lets be honest unlike our European cousins, it is given little importance. In that our e.cousins are taught everyday in English (as a second lanuage) inclusive I might add the Portuguese and that whether some may like it or not is a fact. Frankly, I am not happy with this situation and would have loved the opportunity to have learn say Esperanto, the lanuage that was going to be taught instead of English all round the World. But neither am I with others who are basically trying to infringe on others rights by saying that "there should be ways of making you speak".

Because I considered lanuage very important together with an all round unabridged education I literally had 3 jobs a day and why, so that I could buy the very best education that money could buy for my daugther. My daugther now has several qualifications and speaks several lanuages. As for me I do my best to try and I am very proud to say that most of my friends here in the Algarve are not as suggested by some on this forum English and nor do "I" wish to be included in sweeping statements as a ba ba residing on urban complexes.Those that wish to reside so, I of course have no problem with that (whats it got to do with me or anyhone else anyway) and this is of course freedom of choice. In otherwords some will not like my "badger" type life style and some (not "All") will no doubt see me as a spoil sport because I will not do as I am told.

I think that we should all put this matter to bed now, because as I understand it, this site is for discussion on "Property" and not whether or not people speak different lanuages or reside on an urban complex. As for others wishing to join us in the Algarve "come and give it a try" you may love it you may not" but your'll never know unless you try it. My only word of warning is to join other sensible voices on this forum "be extra careful when purchasing a property and do not give anyone and I do mean anyone Power of Attorney". Good luck to those who decide to come and give the Algarve a try.

Guest2 · Post by **Guest2** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:11 am

Well then, how is the property market hereabouts? I think it is fair to say that the UK property market has slowed down considerably, although it seems to be going forward slowly, perhaps very slowly. What is the general state of re-sales around CVO and in the Algarve? Prices up or down? Many sales? What about places like Rocha Brava where places are often asked for but are not available? Is this a ' buy time' or a 'sell time'?

n · Post by n » Tue Sep 06, 2005 9:57 am

Dear Guest2,

Re:- your posting 26Aug 05. Having just returned from a visit to the UK and whilst there I looked around for puchasing a potiental base for visits and so forth. I have to say that I was surprised to see that the property market there is most definately on a downward turn and in some areas as much as 30 pc. In comparision the prices in the Algarve are not only holding, but are steadily increasing. Therefore, good news for those of us who own property here, but others from the UK wishing to buy, well they
really do need to put their skates on if they do not want to slide on the property ladder.

Whilst writing, I had a very interesting conversation with my bank manager and despite all the things we read about offshore companies, he advised that this is still the best way to buy property in the Algarve and similiar.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:23 am

Your Bank Manager doesnt understand the Off Shore issue for one...and where are house prices slipping by 30% in UK..I'll be back to buy one..but I dont beleive this to be the case....other than maybe multi million pound hoses in London that have been overpriced for a few years now.

nightrider · Post by **nightrider** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:48 am

Anonymous wrote:Your Bank Manager doesnt understand the Off Shore issue for one...and where are house prices slipping by 30% in UK..I'll be back to buy one..but I dont beleive this to be the case....other than maybe multi million pound hoses in London that have been overpriced for a few years now.

UK PROPERTY PRICES

Having, been over to the Uk 2 weeks ago, admittedly, not directly to look at the property market. However, whilst there I visted two seperate members of our family, who are developers, both confessed that the market had well slowed down and were doing incredible deals with purchasers.
From these visits, I decided to take a closer look at the market. I found that prices being advertised suggested no change, but then making further enquiries with such as the HM Land Registry, prices being advertised, are not the actual selling prices according to this legal document. In otherwords the seller had drop his price for a sale and in some cases considerably.

If you are not aware already. Find an average priced family home being advertised, wait until it's sold. Then go to HM Land Registry on the internet and for £2 you can get a copy from the Register of the Title which will display the actual cost paid. Actually, this is interesting because years ago they always put the sold price on the LR Titles and then this was dropped. But sometime after 2000/2001 the selling price re-appeared, no doubt in connection with the Stamp Duty. I need to make further enquiries about this.

But I am confident of what I have found out to date, together with the media, suggests the prices are on a downward tread.

With regard offshore companies, you say that Barclays and other such financial institutions do not understand such issues

PURCHASING OFFSHORE IN PORTUGAL

With regard offshore companies, I would be very interested if you could supply actual evidence of what you say. In that yes Portugal as most are aware did black list Countries such as Gibralter.
But have you considered that it may have well suited some "financial & professional bodies" to frightening people to the tune of about 1000 Euros per transfer of company to a white listed country

In otherwords nothing has changed, except a different location for some and the "financial and the like boys" have fatter bank accounts.
Another brief example of which Portuguese property owners have for years used Maderia and/or Portuguese small holding companies.

Also to consider if you are not a resident in Portugal and your property is in your name, on sale you will be subject to Capital Gains of 25%.
If you are resident it will be 25%min. of 50% of the C.G's. This amount of course is considerable and based on what your lawyer or who ever declared on the purchase. Where as offshore still remains that you can sell "the shares" and at 0% CG's. If you buy an offshore of course the transaction shares can always be negotiated.

Another example is that a well known Irish Bank and others are advertising and setting up offshore companies for the purchase of Portuguse Properties, some based at Co Hse UK, but I need to look into this further because as we understand it, if say an offshore company is presently domiciled in Malta it cannot at present be redomiciled to the UK.

Therefore, all I ask Guest, is that as I try to do, get all the facts first and then double check them and then make up YOUR mind.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:24 pm

EErr...you forgot one thing mate.........suggest you do a little more homework.....how much you will pay in Taxes every year against what you pay if its moved ON shore....thats the whole point...for 99% of people here.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:23 pm

[quote="Anonymous"]EErr...you forgot one thing mate.........suggest you do a little more homework.....how much you will pay in Taxes every year against what you pay if its moved ON shore....thats the whole point...for 99% of people here.[/quote

Please kindly supply actual facts of what you say, I ask because and with respect you would appear to be somewhat confused.

I.e. Its companies that are domiciled in Black Listed couttries which pay 5% IMI and 1/15th. If you are in a White Listed Country it makes no difference whatsoever.

May I suggest that you contact a financial advisor such as Sovereign in Lagoa.

Ps Or perhaps if you address your enquiry to Biffa on this forum he may offer you further assistance. Good Luck.

nightrider · Post by **nightrider** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:28 pm

Sorry forgot to sign in with regard the above reply to Guest. Nightrider

Guest1 · Post by **Guest1** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:42 pm

Todays "black"jurisdictions were "white" yesterday. Who knows what Delaware et al will be in a couple of years

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:08 pm

Guest1 wrote:Todays "black"jurisdictions were "white" yesterday. Who knows what Delaware et al will be in a couple of years

Could you please kindly repeat your posting Guest.... the latter is not clear what you are saying. Thank you.

nightrider · Post by **nightrider** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:32 pm

Guest1 wrote:Todays "black"jurisdictions were "white" yesterday. Who knows what Delaware et al will be in a couple of years

My very point.

If Malta, Delaware or any other present White haven becomes Black Listed there are other alternatives. One of which I have already stated as follows:-

An Offshore Company can be transferred from say Delaware to Portugal and a Portuguese Small Holding Company. We are advised that there is no tax implication for this transaction and there are other benefits.
On the sale of the property, the shares are transferred, but as named directors 10% CG's are applicable. Of course each case is different and before taking any step, it has to carefully looked into and preferably discussed with experts in this field.

Where are the buyers going to come from?

where are the buyers coming from