You are here: / Rent, buy or rent-to-buy?

  • Rent, buy or rent-to-buy?

With Portugal Senior Living, we allow you to do any of the above. Better still, we allow you to adapt depending on your reaction to the country, we give you the flexibility to change your mind before making a final decision and to start with a rental and progress to a purchase later if you are unsure.

“Most people who inherit houses sell them anyway. They don’t match their life options nor their plans at the time. Many are so far away from the property that they sell them at low values, destroying years of effort from the person who paid for it. Worse, often those who saved to leave assets for their heirs sacrificed the quality of their own retirement to do so.”

This doesn’t mean that purchasing a property is not a good solution: it often is. But to make it a great solution, it must take into account the fact that your requirements as seniors change over time.

Even if you feel you should be leaving something to your heirs, a reason often cited by seniors who buy real estate, bear in mind that your departure may leave them with unexpected work and administration. In most instances the costs associated with disposing of the asset or with maintaining it, will erode the capital you have invested. So before you take a decision for your heirs, think of yourself and your requirements first.

Statistics show that with increased life expectancy there is a 50% probability, in a 65- year old couple, one will survive until the age of 90. Your needs at 65 are likely to be very different to those at 90.

In our opinion, opting for a flexible solution is key. If you have asked yourself any of the following questions, then you should talk to us.

And don’t forget to ask us about our RENT BEFORE YOU BUY SPECIAL PACKAGE for clients who sign a long-term rental and purchase a property through us, so that you can receive some rental commission cash back on completion of purchase!

Algarve Senior Living is probably the only company which allows you to try out the lifestyle in the region while also benefiting from the opportunity of independently analysing your long-term options, be they rental or purchase.

We encourage all future residents and long-term guests to try out our solution before taking a final decision. We offer guests who book with us the benefit of our expertise (within reason). For those who do not book an initial stay with us, we charge a fee for access to our expertise.

This is a common challenge for most emigrants. Although very friendly and hospitable, true local friendships will take time to develop. Expatriate communities in most countries, including Portugal, offer a quicker route to making friends than with Portuguese people, especially if language is a factor.

At Algarve Senior Living we recognise that creating communities is a big challenge, and takes time. For this reason, we have organised a number of opportunities for guests and residents to integrate into activities with local clubs or members. As long as you are open to stepping out of your property, we will help you integrate faster.

Absolutely not. Many people have understood the benefits of renting, and the flexibility it provides. Many nations such as Germany are quite accustomed to renting their entire lives.

You heard right, a few years ago was absolutely the right time to buy. 2015 and 2016 saw the first increase in property values and real estate transactions in Portugal for about 7 years. Subsequently every year has seen a record-breaking year. Real estate values increased hugely between 2016 and 2018, with cities such as Lisbon experiencing a growth of around 60%. As a result, what was a buyer’s market in 2014 became a tight seller’s market in 2017-18.

Well-located and priced properties are selling in weeks or months where previously it took more than a year. We have not seen such a good buyer’s market for a long time. Further, for those wanting to buy for investment, returns or yields have never been as good precisely because tourism has been so strong. Even then, it does not hurt to confirm this, and so spend the time you need by renting before you make a final decision to buy.

Yes, and more and more people are doing it. What’s more, it is often cheaper to do this in a country like Portugal, where the cost of living is lower. The fact that we have negotiated most of our rental properties and prices directly with owners, means that you know what your costs will be, because service charges, internet and cable TV, as well as use of on-site facilities, are usually included, and other costs such as utilities and cleaning, can be accurately estimated.

Yes, in some circumstances and depending on the location you have chosen. Contact us in advance to discuss this in more detail.

Yes, if you rent you move when you like, subject to (typically) one month’s notice. Often the price difference between choosing a two-bedroomed instead of a one-bedroomed apartment is sufficiently small to allow you to plan for visiting family and friends.

You do not have to sell everything. In fact, a rental solution often allows you to keep a foot in each place.

Perfect solution for many, and even more so for those who apply and obtain Non Habitual Resident status, allowing you to receive your pension tax-free for 10 years.

Yes, Portugal Senior Living and Algarve Senior Living’s network of preferred partners includes qualified English-speaking medical professionals. We have access to a licensed and qualified team of domiciliary care specialists. We have also partnered with a modern care facility which accepts independent, semidependent and dependent residents, subject to an initial assessment

You can rent or buy. Both qualify. However, the type of rental contract is specific and the property owner must be open to registering his contract formally with the relevant authorities.

For a fee, we can provide and prepare contracts that are fully compliant with the Non Habitual Resident program. These documents have been vetted by several lawyers and have been used in NHR application processes.

Yes, of course. And many people know they will purchase, but simply want to make sure they get the area, type of property, location, etc. correct before doing so.

Yes, if you book your stay through us we will be happy to recommend ways of accelerating your integration into social clubs and associations which are of interest.

Yes, we encourage our visitors and guests to live a ‘real’ life. We have very few remaining group activities as all our clients are so different and independent that they simply choose what and when to do. We point them in the right direction and they take it from there.

You decide. Most of our locations and properties have fully equipped kitchens to allow you to cook at home. In some cases on-site restaurants offer an easy alternative, and we will point out good value local options. Over time you will discover some yourself, and we hope you will also share some of your discoveries with us!

Yes, we will point out your shopping options, if you have special dietary needs such as organic or gluten-free, we will let you know where you can find or order. We can do an initial information session and even a shopping trip with you for a nominal fee.

Yes, we always recommend starting with one of our preferred locations because these are where our team can offer most support, or you will be within a larger local town and typically you will not need a car. Thereafter, we understand that you may wish to opt for an independent option, which you can analyse during your initial stay.

Yes, we have many purchase options available. On some sites you can rent and then buy, in some other instances we even find you a property to buy which allows to staying the winter and rent your property in the summer.

Yes, if you adopt rental as your preferred option, then this is perfectly feasible. In fact, we have several clients who already do this, because only a short notice period is typically required, moving into and between locations is easy.

CALL US NOW

On (+44) 208 144 7558 (UK), (+351) 925 130 169 (Portugal) or (+1) 305 424 8869 (USA)

to see how we can help you achieve your dreams