Monday, January 28, 2008

Holiday villas for sale in the Algarve

Algarve is an excellent tourist destination situated on the southern part of Portugal. It is Europe’s sunniest part and is ideal for sporting and other leisure-time activities. Besides sports, Algarve’s magnificent beauty and striking mountains make the city a must-see place on earth. The region is full of stunning landscapes, picturesque valleys and simply awe-inspiring villas.

Culturally rich and historically significant, Algarve is a revenue-yielding mine for property owners and foreign investors who are willing to make investment on villas in Algarve. Algarve investment market holds a strong position as a sellers market. There is a huge demand for holiday villas for sale in Algarve.

Investment on villas in Algarve has become popular for the following reason:
  • Algarve is one of the ideal places to buy property as second homes. Investment in holiday property in Algarve can be the most useful during vacations.
  • Market price of the holiday property in Algarve is constantly rising which assures high return on investment.
  • A regular source of income comes from renting your property abroad in Algarve.
  • Algarve’s perfect climate suits outdoor sports and hence allures sports enthusiasts to make investment in holiday villa in Algarve
  • Low cost of living makes Algarve attractive to tourists and foreigners.
  • Portuguese Mortgages are easily available for both residents and non-residents of Portugal.
  • Portugal government is investing more on infrastructure. Hence life is quite comfortable in Algarve.
  • Stable government with lowest crime rate.
Buying property abroad needs careful consideration. It is advisable to have a legal representative to take care of the local procedures. They can take care of paper works and save you a lot of money. The legal representative can verify the land registration, ownership, title, for any pending mortgage on the property and others. He can also check whether the market price of the place and property are reasonable.

Holiday property in Algarve is an ideal way to get rid of tension and relax on your vacation. Holiday properties in Algarve are exclusively designed buildings. Some of the holiday villas for sale in Algarve are lavishly designed with private swimming pools, gardens, tennis courts, children’s playground etc. These holiday villas serve as vacation homes for holidays. Investment in villas in Algarve is fruitful because of their value and tourist importance. Both off-plan and resale properties are available as holiday villas for sale in Algarve.

Most of the properties like holiday villas for sale in Algarve are dealt by real estate agents in Algarve. It is highly recommended to find a registered real estate agent in Algarve.

Portuguese Mortgages are easily available to both residents and non-residents of Portugal. Up to 80% of the property value can be claimed as mortgage which can be repaid in 5 to 30 years. Portuguese Mortgages are available for both off-plan and resale properties. It is recommended to claim mortgage including all other hidden costs as it is difficult to change the mortgage amount claimed later.

Portugal’s travel and tourism industry is constantly growing and contributes billions to the Portugal economy. Foreign Direct Investment on properties is steadily increasing creating a huge demand for holiday property in Algarve. With excellent climate, easy mortgage availability and market price, investing in property of Algarve is the perfect investment to make.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Arranging a mortgage for your Algarve property

Algarve is a popular tourist destination endowed with an astonishing cultural diversity. Stretching over the whole of southern Portugal, it is one of Europe’s favourite holiday destinations. Algarve has a salubrious climate, gorgeous scenic landscapes and sunny beaches. It is ideal for many indoor and outdoor sports. Hence, naturally there is a huge demand for buying property in Algarve. The beneficial and supportive Portugal mortgage schemes induce both residents and non-residents to invest in buying Algarve property.

Owning a property abroad, especially in a place like Algarve, is a rewarding asset. Portuguese mortgages are easily available for both resident and non-resident property buyers. Portuguese mortgage for buying Algarve property is relatively simpler than in any other country. For non-residents, it is always advisable to have a representative who can help you with the local procedures while buying property in Algarve. For any legal transaction, a fiscal number is required. This can usually be arranged by the representative.

Portugal Mortgage percentage varies for residents and non-residents. It is generally 80% to 90% for a resident of Portugal while 70% to 80% for a non resident. Portuguese Mortgage terms for buying property in Algarve range from 5 to 30 years of time.

Documents required for claiming Portugal mortgages by a non-resident while investing in Algarve real estate for sale:
  • Last 4 month payslips if he is employed or last year’s tax return documents, previous three years audited accounts if he is self employed.
  • Last three months bank statements
  • Valid passport
  • Current mortgage and loan details
  • Proof of address
  • Detailed address of the property that is to be purchased
Once the bank receives your application, the following procedures are to be followed:
  • Portuguese Mortgage is available only to suitable applicants who have a sound financial situation and good credit history.
  • A bank representative will valuate the property be it a villa for sale in Algarve or a huge bungalow in the region. Based on the property value, the mortgage amount is sanctioned. This might take a week’s time approximately.
  • The Bank will provide you the mortgage documents.
  • The process takes up to 4-8 weeks approximately for arranging Portugal Mortgage.
Before buying property in Algarve, you should check whether the property has some essential documents like:
  • A habitation license for property that is constructed after 1951.
  • A certified insertion in the records of land conservatory.
  • A detailed ‘Caderneta Urbana’ from the tax office.
Once the deal is agreed, a legal contract is signed between the buyer and the seller. And an initial deposit of 10-20% of the purchased property is paid by the buyer. This bounds the buyer and the seller. The final deed is signed by the purchaser and a representative from the bank at the notary’s office. The balance amount is paid at this time and it is subsequently entered in the notary for official records.

Mortgage repayments are also simple. While buying property abroad, generally 35% of the applicant’s income is considered as interest. Mortgage payments are paid either monthly or quarterly depending upon the type of Portugal mortgage one has claimed.

Algarve is the best place to invest on properties. High Value for money is obtained from Algarve real estate for sale. Villa for sale in Algarve is one of the finest properties in Portugal. Above all, Portuguese mortgages help out any kind of buyer while buying Algarve property.