I posted the original “ Questions to Ask” back in January 2006, apologies to those who have read this before.

The reason for bringing this back to the top is reading on several estate agents sites that they will introduce you to a lawyer. This is not a good idea, a lawyer I know states that her children will receive the finest private education in Portugal paid for by foreigners, mainly British, who have been “done over” by their agent and she has to rectify the mistakes.


Questions to ask
Are you a registered estate agent or a introduction agent,ie unlicensed?
Why is the house for sale, is it inherited
How many owners ?Do they all agree to the sale, have they completed any paperwork to that effect you can show me?
Where do they all live, locally or abroad?
NEVER USE AN ESTATE AGENTS LAWYER, ALWAYS GET YOUR OWN
It is my intention to use my own independent interpreter
It is my intention to use my own independent lawyer
Is a lawyer acting for the seller?
Is any agent involved? I am not willing to pay any commission to anybody
I wish to speak to the owner directly or through my interpreter
How can I get in touch with them i.e. phone number?
What is being left behind, any items for cash sale?
Local school, nationality of any local foreigners Any local bars, cafes, shops, bread vans?

What camara is the house in?
What frugesia is the house in?
Are there any local building restrictions?
What, if any, building work, road works are planned for the area ?
What is the house zoning, i.e. agriculture, rural, nature?
Check the road, track, is it in good condition, if not will the camara repair it Does it have good all year access i.e. in the winter when the top surface can be washed away, who maintains it, any street lighting?
Any communal tracks, roads, land
What is the square meterage of the house and all outbuildings does it match what they say?
What is the roof made of i.e. vegas, brick tiles or wood supporting roof tiles?
Is the house connected to the sewage?
Is there a septic tank, how big is it, when was it last emptied, prior to buying I want it emptied ?
What is the plot number?
It is my intention to check with the local camara to ensure the details are correct
Are all the building on the land registered at the finances/ camara?
Are all taxes paid and up to date?
Is there electricity? If so what type of electricity i.e. domestic or agriculture?
If the electricity is nearby but not connected ask why
Is there a phone, if so I want the number to check if ADSL is available?
What type of water i.e. mains/spring/bore hole?
How much water is there?
Does the well ever run dry?
Can I drink it, it is my intention to have the water analysed
If bore hole how old is the pump?What is the pumps capacity?How deep is the bore hole?
When was it drilled?
A house without reliable water is virtually worthless
I want to know the boundaries
I want prior to purchase the boundaries CLEARLY marked out so there is no confusion
What is the total area of the land in square meters, does it match what they say?
What is the price, is it realistic, will they negotiate, I wish to negotiate directly with the owner
What is entry date?Do they wish to do a compra vende, i.e. take a deposit? The full amount to be paid will be registered at the escuturia
I am using my lawyer/my interpreter for the escuturia
Check windows, wiring
If its near water check for fireplaces and central heating, it will be cold and damp place in winter
Don’t buy a house because you fall in love with it, think it through
Remember if you buy a house without all the permits in order the problem becomes yours not the seller
Listen for church bells, they are not so romantic at 2in the morning and also for barking dogs
DON’T LEAVE YOUR COMMON SENSE AT THE AIRPORT  

Hi Shelby...excellent information

...hope everyone who is considering buying a property reads and digests your advice. All we had at the time of buying our house was gut instinct.
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Thank you shelby - a very comprehensive and helpful guide.

It's nice to see that there are some people out there willing to share their knowledge - makes a change from some of the expat sites I have visited [not just Portugal ones] where the expats that have already 'been there, done it got the t-shirt' seem to think that their new land of abode is for them and them only!

Kazzi~X~  

Hi Shelby

Great post well done. In our case, we used an independent lawyer who turned out to be absolutely dreadful and our estate agent had to finish the conveyancing on our behalf. If she hadn't we would still be waiting a year later for habitation licence. So it just goes to show, even if they are independent, doesn't mean they are good. She was recommended by someone who had used her also.

Notwithstanding that, excellent advice.

Regards
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Kate 

great post shelby,
i would add another thing to consider get a survey done on the property!! i read somewhere that 90% of house purchases in the uk only go ahead after a survey whereas abroad only 5% of purchasers think to ask for a survey,we seem to think a 100yr old house abroad doesn't need a survey and a 100yr old house in blighty does!
regards
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hassie 

Great start however have to point out that I do not think its good to generalize....if something has not worked for you than it does not mean that all lawyer recommended by estate agents are bad.

Surveys - not a common practise as banks do not require this to give you a mortgage as opposed to the UK where by law you need it as otherwise the bank will not give you a mortgage. Should you wish to do a survey of a house or apartment than please let me know and I can forward you the details of an English chap I know that has settled in the Lisbon area. Banks instead do evaluations which are pretty much similar to surveys. An engineer of the bank will go and evaluate the property. This afterwards reflects the mortgage deal you receive.

Real Estate companies cannot evaluate your property - by law. Only after they have done a course of IMOPPI (the real estate governing body). They should be able to present you with a certificate if you ask for it.
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Forgot to put the following....

I would not let a client speak directly to an owner or owners of a property prior to having agreed a price. After a price has been agreed all meetings are normal but all negotiations take place through the estate agency. Thats part of our job!
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