Three World Financial Crises

Since interest rates are low, financing the purchase of a property through a national bank loan could be an interesting option, especially because since 2010, Portuguese banks have not been lending as much as they are now. Having as goal the finding of advantageous solutions that make the purchase of a house at a time when access to bank credit is strongly limited, we sign partnerships with the main bank institutions so as to offer excellent business opportunities to all our clients.

Interest only mortgages are only available for construction mortgages in Portugal, and even then, usually only for the first one or two years of the mortgage term. If the home was a primary residence, 50% is added to the income tax in the year of the sale - unless the proceeds are used within two years to purchase another primary residence, in which case the gains are tax exempt.

Hinting last week at this coming down the line, Público stressed that the nation's banks expect ‘something in return' from the government, in terms of a guarantee that they will not be penalised" when it comes to solidity. If you are serious about buying a property in Portugal then you should start arranging your Portugese mortgage almost before you do anything else.

A Part and Part mortgage allows you to split your home loan and combine the security of a fixed rate mortgage with the flexibility of a tracker mortgage. In the year to October 2016, property prices in all of Portugal's 24 urban areas showed growth, and the Lisbon metropolitan grew around 2.6% year on year.

This is complicated by the fact that banks lending in Portugal do not always offer the same conditions to clients, even if they have similar profiles. A better option is to use a mortgage broker, who is used to dealing with this type of transaction, knows exactly which banks and branches to ask, and can probably secure you a better rate.

Valuation report - if the valuation is no lower than the agreed purchase price and the property has no legal issues, the completion arrangements can be made. So a rise in inflation and interest rates will put more pressure on borrowers using tracker mortgages and make it less desirable for investors to borrow if strict lending policies are maintained.

It is rather like a car lease: during the term the property belongs to bank, and at the end of the term, for a peppercorn payment, it will become the property of the client. Most banks will not offer a mortgage to individuals who are over 70-years old, but some will extend this limit to 80.

If you already own a property in another country with sufficient equity, you may choose to take out an additional mortgage, or even a new one on that property to finance your purchase in Portugal. This lower amount makes life very difficult for people buying Vila sol apartments for sale as often the difference between the actual purchase price and the declared purchase price is huge.

Now, however, sellers are having to agree prices which are in line with bank valuations, rather than market demand, meaning that, according to local listing site Meravista, which has 24,000 properties available, Portuguese property is now up to 32% cheaper than the UK.