NEW DEVELOPMENTS GOOD NEWS ??

Share experience regarding ownership of property and/or living in Portugal.
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nightrider

Post by nightrider »

Chippy, I think you flew yesterday or today to the beautiful Algarve so do have a nice 2 weeks :)

Nightrider.

ps: I saw a Bee-eater yesterday.
Bruxinha
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Post by Bruxinha »

Morning tbbr...no formalities of introduction required on here :D

Yes, I have been merely trying to point out that it is all very well Northern Europeans talking about the best places to buy and investments etc etc but it is blinkered and stupid not to take into account the local communities thoughts and opinions and to be arrogant enough to assume the attitude that we are doing it for their "own good" and they should be grateful and if they can't see it now, of course they will later. As I see it at the moment things are in the balance and it could go horribly wrong if people aren't careful.

People in Silves refer to Carvoeiro as the "English village" even without massive developments. I think inland towns can be a little more hostile and conservative to change and are different in their attitude to the coastal towns, which are used to tourists of all nationalities and this has to be considered. I personally think a lot of the Portuguese attitude to things sucks but hey, it isn't going to change overnight and so we all have to consider every aspect here. I also know that whilst there are still a lot of people moving here to live, there are also a fair amount moving away too for the very reasons we are talking about on this forum. Not a problem I suppose for those just wanting to make a quick buck, the more turnover of people the better. Maybe Silves and Carvoeiro will become the "Silver Triangle" or perhaps The Bermuda Triangle" :roll:
bman

carvoeiro

Post by bman »

tbbr I think that you are on the right track .I have been reading this forum for a few weeks now, and think that you are the only one that has something good to say about new developments in the aria. I too have been to the sales stand and I think that this resort is realy going to bring up the value of the surrounding properties.As an investment, well Im open for any comments [/list]
bman

resort in carvoeiro

Post by bman »

actualy I like the way tbbr,denniscash and gambrinus think I hope that most of the comments come from you guys
Guest

Re: resort in carvoeiro

Post by Guest »

Is Trigger and/or Dougal back! :roll:
bman

Re: resort in carvoeiro

Post by bman »

Anonymous wrote:Is Trigger and/or Dougal back! :roll:
no just someone that has been folowng this forum for a long time now,and Im looking to find and hear some positive things about this resort
do you have anything to add :?:
Guest

Re: resort in carvoeiro

Post by Guest »

LOOK ON THE WEB AT THE "IMOPPI " SITE AND FIND OUT ALL THE "REGISTERED AMI NUMBERED" ESTATE AGENTS OF YOUR CHOOSEN AREA.THEN LOOK UP THEIR SITES ON THE WEB (MOST THESE DAYS HAVE THEM) THEN CHECK THE NUMBER AND ADDRESS OF THE ESTATE AGENT AGAINST THE IMOPPI RECORDS.

ANYONE WHO STRAYS FROM THE ABOVE PROCEDURE IS MORE THAN LIKELY DOING SO AT THEIR PERIL.
Bruxinha
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Post by Bruxinha »

Whilst you are right guest, I am afraid to say that just because someone has an AMI nº, it doesn't necessarily make the company any more reputable.

However, what people should be a bit careful of is "UK companies" selling property in the Algarve. I have come across a few problems with respect to SOME of these companies.

There are several UK companies on the internet now selling property and plots in the Algarve. As these are set up as UK registered companies, they will not be registered by IMOPPI; the organisation, which regulates real estate companies in Portugal and issues them with a registered number/licence. Some of these UK companies are simply run from people’s homes and when you contact them they will put you in contact with someone in the Algarve. If you decide to use one of these companies I would suggest that you check out a few details. Check whether they are registered at Companies House. Go to www.companieshouse.gov.uk and then click on “tools to help you” , then “download free company information” and type in the name of the company you want to search. If they are registered correctly, then the company details will be shown i.e registered office, company number, status, date of incorporation, type of business, status and accounts and return dates. To find out more details, such as, who the directors are and to gain copies of annual returns and accounts etc, you can telephone, write to or e-mail Companies House. They charge a small fee for this service. Check also when you telephone the company in the UK, as to whether they have an office in the Algarve and therefore, the address, telephone numbers, fax numbers, mobile numbers of that office and the NAME of the contact in the Algarve. It is still amazing how many people ring someone in the UK and make arrangements to view properties with somebody in the Algarve, whose only form of contact is a mobile number and nothing more. If you go through one of these companies find out how you will pay them (i.e. Sterling or Euros), into what accounts you will be paying the money into, where the money is going to be declared. Check out whether you think they could in any way be money laundering. It is advisable not to be sweetalked into doing any "deals" to avoid/evade tax, as this may come back to haunt you in the long term e.g. if you have any problems with your property purchase you may be blackmailed because of your earlier "deal" in order to stop you going to the authorities. If you decide to use legal advice, choose your own independent lawyer (advogado), not one recommended by the real estate company/developer. There could be vested interests. Remember you are going to be making a very expensive purchase, be certain what is happening with your hard earned cash!
Guest

Post by Guest »

Hi Brux

Read your comments with interest re registered estate agents.....the 2 I had the misfortune to come in contact with were about as useful and as effective as a chocolate Teapot. We felt they wasted our time and wondered how many of the properties they so said had for sale were actually really ever still available....there were other things which I wont go into, as well

In the end we did use someone who looked for properties for buyers and found them to be on the ball. We had a good lawyer anyway and we are happy with our house. If these people earn a buck...so be it...good luck to them. I have very little time for estate agents at home or abroad.

As for checking up on companies registered at companies house...does this prove they give a good service? No
nightrider

Post by nightrider »

If you found a lawyer that you say carried out your purchase to your satisfaction, it would be appreciated if you would kindly share your lawyer's name and whereabouts together with the agent you used.

You state that you used one of these so called agents who looked for properties for you, these individuals basically, scour the website, go round the agents here in the Algarve and sometimes link up with a lawyer selling their clients properties. (By the way the latter is illegal).

With regard checking with Companies House UK, if the person advertising the property is advertising as an English Limited Company, you can find out many things (details can be obtained from the Co Hse Website). I.e. who your dealing with, if they are bonified, if they are actually registered as selling properties in Portugal and the Registered Number of the Company and the Registered Office. I.e. the last thing a seller whats to get involved in is perhaps a situation of money laundering etc.

I.e. if things were to go wrong,who do you turn to?

The lawyer in Portugal (I don´t think so) the agent elsewhere (I don´t think so) and remember your collatreral is here in PORTUGAL and not in the UK.

No, like you and many others I abhor Estate Agents, but at least you can check if they are bonified here in Portugal with an AMI number. To have an AMI number an Estate Agent has to pay a hefty contribution into a Clients Slush Fund. New legislation makes it complusary for the Estate Agent to put his/her agency details inclusive of AMI Number on the Deed.

As to a lawyer, I would suggest that when puchasing a property use one well away from the area of the Estate Agent and property of purchase.

You sound as though you have been lucky, many others have not.
Guest

Post by Guest »

the agent in Portugal who we were meant to be able to trust....thats a laugh..just because they have an AMI number...get real

LTD companies in the UK...thats a laugh as well....agian no gaurentee of good service....even if royalty w

We made our own decisions as to which lawyer we used....and which property we bought.
tbbr
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Post by tbbr »

AMI number is not really any guarantee, I know of one where the individuals doing the selling have no official qualification or registration.
The qualified individual granted the AMI no has NO involvement in the company.
As with virtually everything we do there is Risk it all bouils down to how much risk you are prepared to take.
The only difference I see between the Uk and Portugal are that if it does go wrong its harder to get your money back.
Bruxinha
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Post by Bruxinha »

Bottom line is this. WHOEVER you deal with in this world in this day and age, you have to check them out thoroughly. TRUST NO ONE!! If you are buying a property in any country and, therefore, parting with large amounts of money, you would be crazy not to check EVERYTHING OUT and to know where your money is going and to whom...be they individual private sellers, real estate agents, developers, builders etc etc etc. The best way to pay someone in Portugal is I suppose a "cheque visado" from a Portuguese bank account put straight in the hands of the vendors at the time of final deed signature. I personally wouldn't put any money through anyone's account, be they a lawyer, agent, developer etc. I also personally wouldn't give ANYONE power of attorney. I always want to see what I am signing first hand. How do you really know what will go on in your absence?

There is really no excuse not to check people and things out, as there is so much information available out there. Companies House, UK actually have provided me with some very useful information on various companies for people I know, all for a few pounds, as have other departments both in the UK and Portugal.

I agree a real estate agent having an ami nº is no guarantee of the company being reputable. I know of a company, who have recently shut their premises. They were displaying a false ami nº. The number didn't exist.

Sorry once again for a somewhat negative tone to this posting BUT people who don't CHECK things out in these times are playing Russian roulette.
Guest

Post by Guest »

What qualifications do you need to sell property, out of interest?

I would be more interested in paying a qualified surveyor for my second viewing. Agents are paid by the sellers not by the buyers so interests do they have at heart.

How many people employ the services of an independent qualified surveyor/engineer on old or resale properties...??
Bruxinha
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Post by Bruxinha »

I believe to get an ami nº you have to sit some exams and put up a substanstial bond and have the appropriate insurance, perhaps someone else knows more exact details and figures.

I don't know the names offhand of any surveyors but I believe there are one or two English guys working out and about in the Algarve doing this type of work. I think there has been talk of this on this forum before, so you could check back via the search option. Bearing in mind what I said above though, one should always check out who people say they are i.e. check out the qualifications they say they hold with their apppropriate governing body/association.

Whilst once again this does not guarantee someone is reputable or will act in an honest and ethical manner, it at least tells you if they are bogus or not.
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