News in the Algarve

 

 

 Reproduced from 'The Portugal News, Portugal's National Newspaper in English'.

 

 


 

 

Algarve Property of the Week - Real Estate Médio Tejo, exploring the heart of Portugal....

 

 

Real Estate company Médio Tejo is dedicated to promoting the best of the ‘heart' of Portugal, the central region, has to offer. Whether you are looking for a new home or a business opportunity, Médio Tejo have the expertise and insight to find you the best value for your investment.

Situated in Dornes, deep in the undiscovered and secret heart of Central Portugal, between the municipalities of Ferreira do Zęzere, Sertă and Alvaiázere, the company was established to satisfy the desires of those who are looking to buy a house in one of the most beautiful and most typical regions of Portugal.

Whether you are investing, seeking the perfect holiday location, or wanting to live in the centre of Portugal, you will be located in an area of outstanding beauty, affording peace, tranquillity and a unique lifestyle, steeped in tradition and culture, yet within easy reach of all major historic locations, sea, lakes and nightlife.

According to Médio Tejo, over the years there has been a steady search for property around the Castelo do Bode Lagoon and the Zęzere River, which are very well know for water sports. Most of the buyers are Portuguese, British, Dutch, Irish and Belgian. Dornes is situated less than 90 minutes from Lisbon airport and the road accesses are really good.

Médio Tejo estimates that, as an example, five years ago one could buy a ruin with a small plot of land near the Castelo do Bode Lagoon and the Zęzere River for less than €40,000. Now, the few ruins left are sold for three times as much.

On average, a ruin with half a hectare of land (without lake or river views) would now cost investors between €15,000 and €50,000. A ruin with lake or river views would cost around €80,000 to €100,000. ‘Readyto-move-in' houses (without lake or river views) are valued at an estimated €100,000 to €200,000, or, with lake or river views, prices start at €175,000.

The central region is rich by Portuguese standards. Portuguese buyers (city folk) also buy property in that area, so the expat market is a complement.

Property buyers in Northern Central Portugal should be aware that most of the buyers are ex-pats, meaning longer re-selling times New developments are planned for the region, including a golf course in Boquilobo (Torres Novas). The region's capital, Tomar, home to the Portuguese Knights Templar is also part of UNESCO's World Heritage list. Furthermore, according to Médio Tejo, crime is also virtually non-existent.

Return from letting markets have been increasing on a yearly basis, with the season extending from May to October.

Foreign specialists predict that property prices in Central Portugal will increase by 200% in the next 10 years, something Médio Tejo strongly believes will be achievable.

One of the questions most frequently asked is ‘is it complicated to set up and run a B&B in Portugal?' Valdemar Garcias of Médio Tejo says, "Complicated is not the right word. Nearly everything in Portugal is time consuming, because rules exist and need to be followed, it's just a question of interpreting them".

For more information, see website: www.mediotejo.pt, (search by county) or www.myhouseinportugal.com (real estate in English and Dutch).

Phone: (+351) 249 366 377, mobile: (+351) 965 628 718, fax: (+351) 249 366 578, or e-mail:

valgarcias@gmail.com. Approved Estate Agents: AMI 7318