6 Tips For The Perfect Holiday Home

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Read about the real estate market in the Algarve, Lisbon and Portugal. As the leading estate agents on the Algarve and in Portugal we can help you find property for sale in Portugal and find a mortgage.

June 25, 2018

To ensure your investment property is equally appealing to holidaymakers as it is to you and your family, here are six things to look out for when hunting for property overseas.

If done properly, an overseas holiday home can be an extremely worthwhile investment. From renting it out to other holidaymakers to making use of it yourself when you need a break from work, rain and the stress of the everyday grind, a holiday home can be a personal haven and a profitable enterprise!

To ensure your investment property is equally appealing to holidaymakers as it is to you and your family, here are six things to look out for when hunting for property overseas.

Close to the beach

Sun sand and sea…the beach is one of the main reasons people leave hectic city life behind and book an escape to the coast. Being within walking distance to a nice beach will give your holiday home more power in the rental market, and because it’s likely to be in demand you can probably charge more too! If glorious stretches of sand aren’t your priority, it might be worth seeking an investment property with ocean views or that’s surrounded by leafy countryside instead.

Swimming pool

A swimming pool is indispensible in European holiday hotspots like Portugal, Spain, Cyprus and Cape Verde, particularly if you’re not near a beach. You might be looking for your own pool if you’re lucky, or many apartment and housing complexes have a shared pool and barbecue area. It’s a great way to meet your neighbours, make friends and cool off in the hot weather – and it could help you rent or even sell your property more quickly in the future.

Air conditioning

On a similar note, cooling off inside is as important as keeping cool out of doors. Make sure that your property comes with working air conditioning, and that the unit is in good nick! The last thing you need is your air con being cut off at the height of summer. Bear in mind that even in countries renowned for their mild climates, it can get cold in winter, so make sure the house is equipped with heating as well.

Close to local amenities

Being within walking distance from basic local amenities is hugely important – you don’t want to be an hour away from civilisation if you need milk or bread, and neither do the people who might be renting your property! If you fall in love with a property in the middle of nowhere, make sure your rental prospects can easily rent a car to get around. You might wish to rent or buy a car yourselves, or bring your current vehicle with you from your home country.

Top tip: If you’re relocating to Portugal and decide to bring your car with you, remember to change the plates within six months of arriving, otherwise you risk being charged a hefty fine! It’s free to do, so make sure you add it to your to-do list as you’re settling in.

Space and privacy

This is a big one – you don’t want to be too close to your neighbours. While we’re sure they’ll be very nice (especially in Portugal, which was recently voted the most welcoming country for expats) privacy is important for both you and any prospective holidaymakers who’ll be renting from you. If your neighbours are close by, look for walls, fences and hedges that will give you some privacy when you’re sunbathing in the garden or socialising with friends.

Private terrace

It would be a shame to invest in a sunny corner of Europe and not be able to enjoy a balcony, patio or roof terrace. One of the great joys of relocating is being able to enjoy the weather – for instance the Algarve enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year! Whether you’re soaking up the sunshine on your private balcony or dining al fresco on the terrace, make sure there’s a nice outdoor space (preferably south facing) where you can make the most of the weather.

Try before you buy: trialling life in paradise

You think you’ve found the perfect investment property…but how can you be sure unless you’ve tried it out? What makes us unique is we let you try before you buy!

Spend up to seven days in an Ideal Homes rental property similar to what you’d like to purchase. That way, you can enjoy our services and continue looking at other properties while exploring the local area AND gaining an insight into what it would be like to actually live there!

We don’t just want to sell you a property – we want to help you find the perfect property, and that’s what makes us stand out. If you buy in conjunction with your holiday, we’ll even refund you the cost of the accommodation, so you have something to put towards your brand new home in the sun!