When Property Gets Personal

When Property Gets Personal

If you’ve spent any time at all in the property business, you will probably have already realised it’s personal.

We are supposed to be what we eat – but, more often than not, we are also where we live.

An army of property geeks who spend their lunchtimes browsing homes on the internet should be evidence enough (no shame in that if you’re one of them)!

We’ll also tend to invest quite a bit of time – and a significant amount of cash – in getting our own house exactly how we like it.

So it’s perhaps a little surprising that, when it comes to buying a home, quite a few of us end up with something which doesn’t really suit us.

Often, it’s because we’ve dreamed too big, we haven’t done our homework (excuse the pun) or, like a teenage diary or the latest diet, life got in the way and we didn’t stick to a plan.

your beautiful view from your new home

So, if you’re about to consult Google to find an apartment for sale in Portugal or find a villa for sale in Turkey we hope the following tips will help:

Make a realistic wish list

Time invested in research online should be enough to give you a ballpark figure for what you can actually afford when you’re buying a home.

If you’re buying property overseas, you will often find your spending power is enhanced and you may well be able to enjoy some additional mod cons.

However, if you include too many luxuries on your wish list, then there’s a risk you could end up buying a home which looked great at face value but is actually below par.

In other words, if you’re offered a fully-furnished place with a heated pool, grounds, a garage, air-conditioning and electric gates for about the same price as a two-bed apartment, be aware that it may not be the bargain it appeared to be at first glance.

Size matters

Perhaps it goes without saying but it’s important to pick a home that fits you.

In our experience, when someone is considering buying property overseas for the first time, the relative affordability can sometimes be enough to persuade them to “go large”.

But, although all that space may seem attractive, it also needs heating in winter and maintaining in the summer and that means additional cost in the long-term.

If there’s just the two of you and you’re retiring from a three-bedroom semi-detached home, do you really need a six-bedroom villa in an acre of land? Probably not.

Splendid isolation

Homes in the countryside enjoying sweeping views over mountains or open fields may sound idyllic but, in reality, they don’t suit everyone.

There’s a lot to be said for getting away from it all and there will be times when just about all of us yearn for peace and quiet and some time away from the treadmill.

But, if it’s not something you’re used to, getting in the car and driving five miles to get a loaf of bread or a bottle of wine can become a bit wearing after a few months.

As we’ve indicated in earlier blogs (https://www.keyholdersinternational.com/checking-your-connections-overseas/) internet speeds and a phone signal can also be more of an issue in far-flung rural locations.

A sense of isolation is something plenty of buyers seek but, if you’ve never lived overseas before and you’re trying to find a villa for sale in Turkey, it may be best to start out somewhere with a few neighbours and handy amenities – at least until you have found your feet.

Mapping Things Out

Did you know Google maps has a number of tools which allow you to check up on all sorts of things?

If you’re trying to find an apartment in Portugal, we’d recommend you have a close look at typical traffic flows around any of the homes you like the look of as well as any construction in the area over the past decade. Recent development, for example, could mean more on the way.

If it’s Turkey you have your eye on, it may also be wise to check on the nearest mosque.  (https://www.keyholdersinternational.com/living-rhythm-mosque/). The Call To Prayer is a regular part of life in a Muslim country – and the first of the day can be around 5am in the summer.

Hopefully, the tips above are helpful but, as ever, we’re here if you need us. If there’s anything else you think we might be able to help with, why not have a browse through earlier blog posts or feel free to get in touch.

In the meantime, you may be able to find what you’re looking for on other pages of our website where you can read advice on how to obtain a Golden Visa in Portugal, a Golden Visa in Spain, how to qualify for citizenship in Turkey or to obtain a Golden Visa in Greece. Also, if you enjoyed this post and think others might find it useful, please feel free to pass it on.

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