subject: Questions To Ask When Viewing A Property For Sale In Portugal [print this page] Although some people might feel shy about asking a lot of questions during a home viewing, it is very important to ask about some issues before buying a property for sale in Portugal. You would much rather find out the answer to these questions before buying and making the big commitment.
Here are a few of the important questions that you should ask when viewing a property for sale in Portugal:
Why are they selling the property? Are they downsizing or moving, or do they have another reason for wanting to get rid of this home? Asking why they have put the property for sale in Portugal on the market will reveal quite a lot to you.
When did the seller purchase the property and how much did they pay for it? This question will help you determine whether or not the property values have gone up in the area since the seller bought the home.
How many offers has the seller received? If you know that you are one of the only interested buyers, you might be able to get away with a lowball offer. If you are one of multiple offers then your offered price will need to be strong to survive the competition.
Has the seller ever had any issues with the property such as flooding, leaks, etc. Of course you should always order a full home inspection but asking about these issues beforehand can give your prior warning if there is anything that you should know.
How long has the property for sale in Portugal been on the market? If the seller has been trying to sell the home for a long time they will be more likely to negotiate a discount on the price to get rid of it.
How old is the roof and what is it built with? Most new styles of roofs will have a general life expectancy of between 15 and 50 years depending on what materials they are built from.
What are the average costs of the utilities for the house throughout the year, especially for air conditioning in the peak of summer as it can become very hot in Portugal?
How far away is the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, doctors office, shop, school, or other amenity that you might need?
Where do the exact boundaries of the property run? This can be somewhat ambiguous and it is good to know so that you do not have any disputes with the neighbours.
These are a few questions that are good to ask when viewing a property for sale in Portugal. It is better to ask these questions right up front, rather to find out when it is too late that the answer is not to your liking.
