Top 10 Tips on Renovating a Property in Portugal

1. A Cheap Property Isn't Always a Bargain

2. Location, Location, Location

The old adage about location is true. Picking the right location is as important as the property. Picking the wrong one can be a nightmare. Think carefully about your requirements and if an abandoned property in the middle of nowhere seems remote on viewing, it will be even more so when living there.

3. The Best Set Plans

Unless you want to get embroiled in a lengthy and costly planning application, avoid properties not connected to mains electricity. Despite some estate agents claims connection is just a telephone call away, this is not the case most of the time.

4. Budget or Bust

Be realistic with your purchase budget and the cost of renovation. If your budget is tight over extending on a property requiring a lot of renovation work mean compromising your entire dream.

5. Research Well

Research well and speak with others who have already purchased in Portugal. There is a lot of information online devoted to Portugal with a variety of people regularly posting information about buying and renovating. Seek out their help and guidance, most are only too happy to help.

6. Recycle

Although you may be renovating a property and will probably want to have a fresh, new feel to the property, there will be many materials you will be able to re-use. This will not only save you money, but will add character and is advantageous to the environment.

7. Advice and Expertise

If you intend to get a builder to carry out the work on the property once you have purchased, get at least three quotes from registered builders and if possible check out material prices at local builders' merchants to ensure you know the cost personally.

8. Professional Help

Even though you may be familiar with many of the trades - electrics, plumbing, plastering - skimping on the finish of a property can cost you in the long run. Badly fitted electrics and plumbing can be more expensive to repair when they go wrong. Hiring in the experts doesn't have to be costly in Portugal with these kinds of tradesmen charging hourly rates from 8 Euros per hour.

9. Knowledge

By buying a property in a foreign country you have already crossed the border into the unknown, and although there may be many aspects of renovating a property in Portugal which will be unfamiliar to you don't enter into something which in your country of origin you would not. Ignorance after all is no defence of the law in Britain and therefore in no other EU country. Just because an agent, who is trying to sell you a property, tells you black is white, it is no reason to believe it.

10. Instincts and Trust

Intuition. Often dismissed by many buyers as superstition, first impressions or gut instincts should not be ignored. If you have reservations about a property but don't know why then you are not truly connected with the property. Trust your own judgement and remember the property you are buying is NOT for your agent to live, but you. Do not be pushed into a property deal and if the agents says, 'they would like to buy it'. If they do say this, then let them buy it and find a property which is right for you.