sk any new or old Algarve resident and it will be very difficult to find one person that does not believe that the Algarve is the best place in Europe in which to live. Sunshine, sandy beaches, good fresh food, friendly people, and the least polluted climate in Europe.

he "Tips" below are written purely as safeguards in order to avoid some of the mistakes that a few people have made over the past years.

n the Algarve there are many methods available of finding and purchasing a property. Many of them appear at first sight as potential shortcuts but later they often cause added expenses to the buyer. These particular routes can be likened to a "minefield" of opportunities for a potential purchaser to be misled. It is obviously important to reduce to a minimum the chances of unwisely parting with money.

t is very prudent to only use a Real Estate Agent licensed by the Portuguese State.

e check that all the Real Estate Agents on this Web Site are licensed and that they reputedly conduct their business in a satisfactory and professional manner

The Real Estate Agents in the Algarve are no different from elsewhere. There are many good and helpful Agents and there are also the other type which is unscrupulous and who find anything justified to gain a sale. It is not difficult to discover the right Agents to use.

• Printed information is available from sources outside Portugal. This information should be treated with circumspect as it could be incorrect or out-of-date.

• Outside Portugal many Agencies have been established as contacts to seek potential local buyers. The information available from these Agencies are often based on superficial knowledge of the local conditions, laws and regulations.

• Some countries have established mutual Chambers of Commerce, and when approached they will supply a list of Agents who are there members. This list can be used as a useful reference but it should not be taken as any form of special endorsement but it can be a beginning list from which to work.

• When you have chosen your area in which you wish to acquire a property select one or more from the local Agents.

• Research the local reputation of each Agent as the Algarve can be likened to a large village and "bad news" travels fast.

• One form of reference is that the Agents who have been established for many years can be amongst those that are the most reliable - but this no guarantee.

• A good Agent will first encourage the buyer to explain their needs in some depth so as to advise and select from their properties correctly.

• The time of an Agent is as valuable as the buyers - good Agents will tend to show you properties that you can afford and that meet your needs.

• Many Agents have past and present knowledge in regard to the history of many properties and local developments. This can be very valuable in the case of re-sales as they will know the quality of the builder and what may be hidden under the paint and concrete.

• As there are many aspects in purchasing a property the good Agent will assist you through all the necessary steps - he will also provide the "after the sale" service that is always necessary for any purchaser in any foreign country with the lcoal different regulations.

• The good Agent will have established contacts and relationships with key people in various local State offices that can prove essential in smoothing the path of possible problems that may arise in bureaucracy

• Beware of using that very friendly or casual social acquaintance, whatever their nationality!

• Individuals usually have limited knowledge of the rules and regulations regarding property and if they appear to be very well informed consider the possibly that they have some financial interest in the transaction being completed. These friendly individuals are in many cases paid money by the seller for the introduction that results in a sale of property. Most important of all - if anything goes wrong these third party people have no legal responsibility in your purchase.

• Initially finding the right property is the most important part. This initial chosen property using a social acquaintance may quickly be discarded after hidden facts come to the "light of day"

• Lawyer's offices are often busy with clients with problems caused by a decision to purchase a property directly from a seller without using an Agent, or even worse, not using an experienced lawyer.

• When choosing a Lawyer, Architect, Engineer, or Builder, it is advisable to select from those names of people who are based and mainly work within the geographical area in which a buyer's property is located. These professional people should have well-established contacts in their local State and Municipal offices that can be used to implement a chosen project or assist in the making of a purchase.

• In selecting who to use the advice of a Real Estate Agent should be sought as it is in their best interests to recommend good people as they will be probably dependant on the quality of these services to bring a sale or a project to a successful conclusion.

• When selecting a Lawyer for your conveyance you will find that they are tend to be conversant with several languages, particularly English. Their fees can vary according to the total value involved. A normal percentage for a middle priced property is 3% as listed in their Table of Fees. In some cases it is possible to negotiate for a lesser percentage but your final agreement may end up related to the quality of the professional service received.

• A lawyer will also be able to provide practical advice on all the financial matters and costs relating to a intended purchase and carry out the necessary searches. Be sure that your fully understand what the charges are and what they will be doing for their fee. It is important to consider that every country has its own manner of "doing things". A buyer can become very frustrated by trying to impose their own will, and not trying to bring their understanding inline with the system that applies in Portugal. However, this does not act as an excuse for inefficiency or misleading information.

• As from the 1st of January 2004, the laws relating to Inheritance and Donations has been changed. If the beneficiaries are direct members of the family in both these cases there will be no Tax applied.

• Many properties in the past have been purchased through an Offshore Company. This method places a property in the ownership of a Company that is registered outside of Portugal domain through a Share Purchase Agreement. This type of ownership presents added annual costs and most lawyers are conversant with this style of transaction. Buyers should make themselves aware of the advantages and also the disadvantages prior to deciding.

• It is advisable that any agreements between a client and an architect, project manager, builder, or contracted supplier, must be in writing. Any changes to the original agreement, however small, should also be placed on paper and signed by both parties for later reference in case of possible misunderstanding or conflict.

• It is reasonable to state that the majority of older properties in the Algarve have been architecturally changed over the years without the correct documentary procedures being properly implemented. Garages have been turned into bedrooms, terraces enclosed, and extensions built. We recommend that a potential buyer should see that the following two documents are checked in this respect. Firstly, that the description as stated in the "Caderneta" issued by the local Tax Office (this is a form of Log Book about the property), and that it agrees with the physical aspects of the property as it appears today. Secondly, the property plans that are lodged in the Town Hall (Câmara) relating to the construction area also agree with the physical aspects as seen.

• Please note that just as in other European countries there will be annual "rates" to be paid to the Municipality and it has been renamed being changed from the previous "Contribução Autárquica" to the new name of "Imposto Municipal Sobre Imóveis - IMI". This change has also involved a new structure of lower Tax being applied but against an updated value on every individual property. The new value that will be placed on the property by the local Tax Office according to their own internal valuation.

• Our final "Tip". By just using a intelligent approach and commonsense, any purchase will become the same pleasurable experience as buying in your home town. We cordially invite you to join the many thousands of other very happy and contented home owners in the Algarve.