Property wanted to buy: 2/3 bed apartment or house, ideally with parking space and storage area in or around Lagos
We're a retired, married (man & woman) Irish couple/pensioners who have over-wintered in rented accommodation in Lagos for the last few winters. We're so "enchanted" with Algarvean life - particularly its weather and cheap cost of living - that we're increasingly considering buying a property here.
Our concerns would be primarily financial i.e. what would be the hidden costs and expenses involved when buying a property e.g. stamp duty, management fees, council expenses, property taxes, costs of electricity and water, death duties on death etc. Such is the attraction of Portugal, and, in particular, the Algarve, that there's a huge amount of auctioneers/estate agents - but are they regulated? How can their clients i.e. sellers be assured of a good service from them?
In our experience they would advertise their properties for sale with glossy pictures, videos, accompanied by nice music - BUT they don't seem to identify with potential buyers concerns e.g. exact location of property, its proximity to a beach or its aspect (which is the very reason they're in Portugal!). Banging these buyers off a picture from Google Maps by email is not the answer and is confusing, such are the "catecombs" network of streets in Portuguese cities, towns and villages.
It's not all sunshine!
Jazz