he legal regulations relating to selling a property in Portugal are relatively uncomplicated and the movement of the resulting funds is unrestricted.

lthough there is no law that forces a seller to market their property through a Real Estate Agent there are advantages in doing so. If selling is the intention of the owner then it makes very good sense to make sure that the property is placed where it will be best exposed to the potential market.

irstly, there is the considerable convenience to owners in using a Real Estate Agent - especially owners that are often tend to be absent.

Most Agents spend serious money in marketing their list of products in foreign markets.

Established Agents also enjoy many referrals from past contacts and clients.

Agents will use their professional skill in presenting a property to potential buyers which in turn increases the chance of a sale being achieved.

As most foreign buyers have little or no real knowledge of the Algarve an Agent has to normally invest considerable time to achieve each sale.

The market system in the Algarve is that a commission related by a percentage of the actual sales value is paid by the seller to the Real Estate Agent. It is not the normal practice for any commission to be paid by the buyer.

gents will request a seller to sign a legally binding "Contrato de Mediação" which is a document required under law stating the terms of agreement, the details of the property, the price sought, and the commission that is to be paid to the Agent. (In Portugal there are occasional agreements between the various Real Estate Agents). The usual position is that a commission is paid by the seller to the Agent that is chosen by the buyer. This is regardless of the possibility of other Agents being involved in the sale.

ome Agents request an exclusivity in representing the seller in the sale of their property. There is no law relating or governing this type of Contract, either relating to any special conditions or its time length. It rests on the seller to decide if this type of marketing will be in their best interest.