Buying a home for the future? Choose ‘annexe generation’ property

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

A recent poll from insurance giants Aviva suggests that almost 36 million people in the UK, over half, have experienced living as adults in the same home as another generation of their family.  And for 3 million of them, the stint lasted as long as a decade.

Cross-generation households are becoming an ever more prominent feature of modern life in the UK due to a variety of reasons and increasingly economic ones due to the recession.

Many are students who cannot afford the hefty university and housing fees so are staying at home after leaving school. The elderly are another sizeable demographic involved in cross-generational living with the Aviva data suggesting that almost a fifth of the older generation are being offered accommodation in their offspring’s homes thereby offsetting vastly expensive care home costs.

Louise Colley, Head of Protection Sales and Marketing at Aviva, comments,

“Almost 20% of intergenerational living is due to families welcoming the older generation into their homes. With a rapidly ageing population, this is likely to become more common in the future and families may need to take this into consideration when purchasing and renovating their properties.”

So with the future needs of our families, our parents, children and even grandchildren in mind, are properties with annexes the solution?

Properties with annexes, be they connected or within the grounds of a home, despite their growing popularity are not easy to come by. In the family friendly Home County of Buckinghamshire for example, Zoopla data reveals that less than 3% of properties afford annexe accommodation.

Hambledon House on Harvest Hill however, a newly built country mansion in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire is one such property complete with annexe. Developed by award-wining house builder Millgate, this glorious detached house sits on an elevated position with fabulous views over the Thames Estuary to the Chilterns and has an annexe with its own entrance, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

The main house offers five bedrooms, five bathrooms and is a dream family home. Substantial living space which is set over three floors includes four reception rooms and a vast kitchen / breakfast room which will clearly be the hub of the house.

Drawing upon their 25 years of house building experience, Millgate homes frequently feature annexes for a variety of reasons:

Office Space: Paying a rent to run a small business is a very unnecessary overhead for many so what better than to have your office at home yet tucked away from family life?  Somewhere you can shut the door and walk away from at night. The 45 sqm of space at Hambledon House is plenty big enough to accommodate you and a business partner.

Granny Annexe:  A modern day concern is where and how to look after your aging parents and in-laws. There might not be room for 4 of them at the annexe of Hambledon House – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory sleeping conditions are somewhat archaic for 2012 – however there is ample room for 2 and if needs must, a stair lift on the outside is possible.
Teenage Hangout: This annexe could be the ultimate solution for a teenager taking a gap year or one living at home whilst going to university.  Imagine the bliss of not having to get annoyed by the fact your slovenly teenager is still in bed at lunch time and not being woken up at 3am when he or she brings some mates back for an after party.

Guest Suite:  Designed to give your guests some real privacy whilst maintaining your own.  Having friends to stay for a few days would be so easy with a separate access guest suite.

Bed and Breakfast:   Not everyone’s idea of fun but this annexe really would be perfect for the odd paying guest – or perhaps even a paying overseas student when you need to make ends meet.

Au-Pair/Nanny:  A perfect solution for many families – imagine the enjoyment for both your family and your ‘help’ to have a separate living area and privacy.  This way you can maintain the family life that you always wanted and still have the luxury of some help just a few yards away.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director at Millgate describes the reaction buyers are having to this extra space in Hambledon House:

“All our visitors are seeing the fabulous potential that this extra space incorporates into this property.  Modern families have such a diverse range of needs – often blended families need extra space – having step-children and step-parents and all sorts needing a bed now and again!”

Hambledon House is priced at £2,800.000. For more information on this house contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk

40,000 properties up for grabs! Swedish property buyers become target of new property sales drive on the Costa del Sol

by Charlotte Ashton Spain

Swedish property buyers have become the target of new property sales drive on the Costa del Sol after a conference headed up by Malaga real estate representatives in Stockholm earlier this month decided they would push to sell 40,000 properties to the Swedish market.

Tourism director Elias Bendodo and tourist board manager Arturo Bernal liaised with Swedish promoters at the Living Costa del Sol conference in Stockholm drawing up a new deal to encourage Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Danish property buyers to purchase holiday or second homes on the Costa del Sol.

Mark Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey de España comments,

“For years, Germans and Britons dominated the second home market in Spain but now the tables have turned towards Nordic buyers. Having recognised the popularity of Spain among this market, we have dedicated a lot of time and effort in these buyers. On the Costa del Sol, we saw a 31% increase in total September sales to Scandinavians, a growth of 150% over last year.

“Interestingly, in addition to the Scandinavian push and helping lift Malaga’s tourism industry to an estimated €250 million a year, plans were recently unveiled by health chiefs to turn the Andalucian city into a prominent destination for global healthcare by drawing patients to clinics and hospitals where some of the best surgeons reside. Health tourism is becoming increasingly popular so this will certainly be one area to watch.”

With Malaga province’s tourism industry in mind, data from the National Statistics Institute show that Marbella is leading the way in foreign tourism on the Costa del Sol with The City Council explaining that during August 2012 the number of overnight stays by foreigners increased by 27%.

For property hunters looking for high quality affordable property, Taylor Wimpey España has some excellent properties on offer on the Costa del Sol at only 4% VAT until the end 2012 and half capital gains tax if you purchase before year end.

Los Arqueros Beach is a new residential complex of 24 apartments consisting of 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, only four minutes away from the sea front promenade and 3 minutes from the ancient part of San Pedro de Alcántara, in the new expanding area towards Marbella beach and near Puerto Banus called the New Alcantara.

Costing from just €205.000 with only 4% VAT until the end 2012 and capital gains tax half if you purchase before year end, the apartments have wide terraces, spacious solarium and a swimming pool.

Avalon – Los Arqueros Golf is a new Taylor Wimpey development situated in one of the best areas of Marbella, the prestigious Los Arqueros golf course and 20 minutes from Estepona. The residential complex has a natural charm with stunning sea and golf views, wide streets, communal swimming pool and beautiful gardens.

There are luxury 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses with 2 bathrooms costing from just €250.000 with only 4% VAT until the end 2012 and capital gains tax half if you purchase before year end. The complex features a communal swimming pool and gardens, underground parking and storage and is surrounded by a prestigious golf course with 18 holes.

For more information on buying on the Costa del Sol contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244.

What a generous bunch you are! Over £7,000 raised at the Frontiers Foundation charity auction

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

As they say, charity begins at home and members of the overseas property industry did not disappoint with a staggering £7,750 raised for the Frontiers Foundation at a charity auction held at the OPP Gala Dinner earlier this week.

Hosted by guest auctioneer for the evening, Paul Owen, former Chief Executive of the AIPP and now Owner of sales training company, The Clear Path Company, the charity auction was a welcome addition to the prestigious OPP Awards of Excellence presentation ceremony.

Organised by the Frontiers Foundation, the charitable organisation founded by Ray Withers, Chief Executive of property investment agency Property Frontiers and Charlotte Ashton, MD of property PR agency, AB Property Marketing, the auction successfully raised the funds required to transform the Ket Wangi orphanage in Kenya, building 3 new classrooms and a toilet block.

Trustees of the Frontiers Foundations was overwhelmed with the generosity of the lots donated which included dinner in a top London restaurant, tickets to the Cartier polo, a professional photo shoot, signed novels, a weekend break in Cornwall, supercar track day and luxury holidays in Turkey / Florida and a French chateau! Sincere thanks go to Fish Market New Street, Barton Wyatt, Peter Ross, Transworld Publishers, Property Frontiers, Club La Costa and Barrasford & Bird for their generosity.

With spirits high and the wine flowing, bidding was prolific and at some points competitive but with each lot vastly exceeding its reserve, the target of £7,000 was smashed by the end of the evening.

Commenting on the success of the auction, Frontiers Foundation Trustee, Charlotte Ashton said,

“Tonight’s charity auction showed the very best side of the overseas property industry. Thanks go to Xavier Wiggins and the OPP team for allowing us to hold the auction, to all those fabulously generous companies who donated the lots and to all those who bidded, every penny raised will go directly to bettering the lives of the children of the Ket Wangi orphanage.”

Now that the required funds have been raised, the process of building the new classrooms and toilet block can begin and the Frontiers Foundation is already in contact with Emily Odera, Mother of the Ket Wangi orphanage regards the logistics and timings. Ray and Charlotte along with fellow Trustees are hoping to once again get their hands dirty by going out to Kenya and assisting with the construction work. Updates, pictures and progress reports can be found on the Frontiers Foundation Facebook page.

For more information about the Frontiers Foundation, the Ket Wangi orphanage or to find out how you can support the project please call +44 (0) 1865 202 700 or visit http://www.propertyfrontiers.com/who-we-are/frontiers-foundation.aspx.
 
 

Invest with only the best. Property Frontiers named Best Global Estate Agency 2012

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

In a glittering ceremony held last night in the City of London, overseas property experts, Property Frontiers were named as the Best Global Estate Agency in the OPP Awards for Excellence 2012.

Now in their 5th year, the OPP Awards celebrate the best developers, estate agents and associated companies working in the global cross border residential property industry and not content with being bestowed one accolade, Property Frontiers was also awarded gold in the Best Estate Agency Europe category.

Commenting on the company’s success, Chief Executive Ray Withers, says,

“I am truly delighted that all the hard work, professionalism and dedication of every member of the Property Frontiers team has been recognised once again by our peers in the industry. We pride ourselves on breaking boundaries and embracing new frontiers, always putting our clients at the very heart of what we do and I believe this is why 2012 has been one of our most successful years since forming in 2004.”

Property Frontiers holds an impressive track record having completed 3,500 property investment transactions for 1,300 clients over the last 8 years. The company has pioneered investment opportunities in emerging markets worldwide from Poland to China and Nicaragua as well as a wide variety of new and previously inaccessible asset classes including student accommodation, hotel investments and personal storage. 

These two latest awards from OPP will be welcome additions to the already impressive raft of accolades including AIPP’s Best Large Agent – Multi Country 2010, 2011 & 2012 and Best Staff Training 2010 & 2008 awards.

Ray Withers concludes,

“At a time when clients are increasingly cautious about making property investments, seeking safety and security at every turn, industry accolades such as the OPP Awards for Excellence are essential in highlighting companies which can be trusted to deliver and this is exactly what we do at Property Frontiers.”

For more information on Property Frontiers and the global property investment opportunities available contact Ray and the team today on +44 (0) 1865 202 700 or visit www.propertyfrontiers.com.

 

Balearic property sales soar by 32.3% according to recent report

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Property sales in the Balearics grew by 32.3% in August this year compared to the same month in 2011, reaching a total of 901 transactions according to a recent report by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

Further data shows that of the 901 property sales made in August, 56% were for previously owned homes representing a 61% increase over the same month in 2011 while 44% were for new housing.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager at Taylor Wimpey España comments,

“In terms of new build property sales, there are only very few new developments around for buyers to actually snap up and we are literally the only developer building right now. In my opinion, when it comes to previously owned homes, there are bank owned properties which are new but could be classified as second hand because they have taken them on from property developers.”

Meanwhile, nationwide, house sales in Spain increased by 3% in August compared to the same month of 2011 according to INE reaching a total of 27,708 sales transactions, of which 49.8% were for previously owned homes and 50.2% were for new properties helping put an end to a streak of declines in sales over the last 17 months.

As one of the most popular Balearic Islands, Mallorca has seen an overall steady increase in property prices according to the latest Q3 2012 Spanish House Price Index report from Spain’s largest English language property portal, Kyero.com which highlights a consistent rise in asking prices from €420,000 in March 2011 to €467,500k in September 2012.

Pritchard explains,

“Top properties in prime locations do sell at the right price in Mallorca. Prices are stable on the island – it’s a resilient market with a good reputation.

“One thing to note is that the German market is definitely back. We have certainly seen much more interest from German buyers – probably the strongest in 10 years – on Mallorca. Last month 21% of our sales came from German buyers.”

For property hunters looking for high quality affordable property, Taylor Wimpey España has some excellent properties on offer in Mallorca at only 4% VAT until the end 2012 and capital gains tax half if you purchase before year end.

El Puerto II situated in Cala d´Or, south east Mallorca has 2 bedroom apartments surrounded by generous gardens with native Balearic plants and 3 communal swimming pools.

Costing from €149,500 this sophisticated complex is within reach of the blue flag beach, Cala Mondrago and floodlit tennis courts in Cala Egos, 10 minutes from Cala d’Or.

The Cala Magrana III residential complex is situated very close to several golf courses and the marina of Porto Cristo and consists of 2 bedroom apartments with sea views with a Mediterranean design surrounding a communal garden and swimming pool priced from just €205.000+ VAT and capital gains tax half if you purchase before year end.

For more information on buying in Spain contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244.

Falling house prices and strong tenant demand – why UK landlord confidence remains positive according to expert online lettings agency

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

A recent report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has identified that UK house prices will continue to fall, not forecasted to rise before the end of the year. With buy to let investors able to snap up cheaper property coupled with strong demand for rented accommodation, it’s hardly surprising landlord confidence in the UK buy-to-let market remains positive.

Highlighting landlord optimism, a Private Rental Sector Health Check for September 2012 from online lettings agency Upad has revealed that landlord confidence in the UK buy-to-let market remains buoyant with 69% of landlords stating that they were more confident in September 2012. This represents a slight increase on figures seen back in August.

Asking 423 landlords whether they were more or less confident in September nearly 69% said that their assurance in the market was attributed to factors such as a steady rental market, low interest rates and very little unoccupied rental accommodation.

James Davis, CEO of online lettings agent Upad comments,

“Falling house prices, attractive mortgage deals, increased demand for rental property in the UK and higher yields has created the perfect environment for UK landlords to thrive. I’m not surprised that over half of landlords surveyed believe now is a good time to invest in property according to a report by Your Move’s parent company, LSL Property Services. Our data further backs up the confident attitude landlords have in the market.”

Of course, each landlord questioned in Upad’s survey had their own reasons for being confident in September 2012. One landlord commented: “The feeling in general is good. The rental market is stable if not growing and interest rates look like they’ll be staying low for quite a while which helps with mortgage repayments.”

Meanwhile, other landlords pointed towards the little or no vacant accommodation available for their increased assurance with one landlord explaining: “I´m more confident in the buy-to-let market this month than last month as early in Sept I had one of my flats on the market (via Upad) and had many interested parties wanting to rent. Also, I usually get an idea about rental demand by visiting two of my local letting agent web sites to see what´s on the market and it seems to me there is very little vacant rental accommodation available at the moment.”

With confidence in the UK buy-to-let market growing, landlords looking for an innovative new way to do business should look no further than the UK´s market leading online lettings agency, Upad. As one of the UKs largest and fastest growing letting agencies, Upad specialise in helping professional tenants rent properties from landlords directly by allowing landlords to manage their own viewings. As a result, Upad receive around 20,000 tenant enquiries per month.

Upad offers a complete lettings service for a flat fee of only £299 (+ VAT) which includes professional photography and a floor plan, a ‘To Let’ board erected outside the property and advertising across all major UK lettings sites as well as comprehensive tenant referencing, drawing up of the tenancy agreement, deposit registration and crucially, rent collection. For more information please contact Upad, on 0333 240 1220 or visit www.upad.co.uk.

Anything Andalucían – ask Barbara Wood!

by Charlotte Ashton Spain

Whether you want to know if prices are rising or falling on the Costa del Sol, who’s buying what on the Golden Mile, where the best place to buy a restored finca or pueblo blanco is or discuss the legal issues surrounding buying rural properties in Andalucía, there’s only one person to ask – Barbara Wood of The Property Finders.

A well-known face in the overseas property industry, property finder Barbara has loved Spain and all things Spanish since her student days in Madrid. Over the last 20 years she has amassed an unrivalled wealth of knowledge of the Spanish property market and it is for this reason that market leading property PR agency, AB Property Marketing is delighted to now be representing Barbara.

After a very successful career with British Airways, Barbara arrived in Marbella in 1983, just as the first sustained property boom was getting under way. The experience she gained then led to her working for top estate agents Knight Frank, setting up and managing their office on the Costa del Sol from 1990.

Barbara believes that the years she worked as an Estate Agent have made her particularly effective in her role today as the buyer´s representative. She understands how the property market works in Spain and knows the kind of pressures that buyers may be subjected to. She knows from first-hand experience what to do and what not to do!

Over the years Barbara has helped clients buy ruins in the Andalucian countryside, found fine country estates, hunted down special properties among the thousands on the coasts and discovered gems in the historic city centres of Seville and Granada. She finds it particularly satisfying when her clients buy a property not listed for sale with any agents, having tracked it down through her network of contacts. It doesn´t matter what it is, as long as it is somewhere in Andalucía, Barbara can find it.

Barbara is an authority on Andalucía and can be relied upon by the media for accurate, timely, educated and unbiased opinion on the property market in this popular region of Spain. She also runs a very popular insightful blog.

Barbara has numerous case studies and is available for seminar speaking, podcasts, radio and TV interviews. She can be contacted 24/7 via Charlotte Ashton, MD of AB Property Marketing on +44 (0) 845 054 7524, charlotte@abpropertymarketing.co.uk or via Twitter at https://twitter.com/CharlotteA_PR.

Further information about Barbara Wood and The Property Finders which helps buyers locate and purchase property in Andalucía can be found here http://www.thepropertyfinders.com/.

 

Buyer demand secures planning for new luxury country mansions in Farnham

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Only two years since award-winning house builder, Millgate, completed three luxury houses in Farnham, planning permission has once again be granted due to surging buyer demand for the company’s modern classic homes.   

Construction of three detached country mansions located in the fashionable Lower Bourne End, is already underway with completion set for summer 2013
The new luxury development with an impressive total 11,000 sq ft of accommodation will be created with the same exceptional vision, design and craftsmanship that has made Millgate stand out from the crowd for the past 25 years.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director at Millgate, comments on the ground-breaking in Farnham,

“Viewed by many as the best place to live in the UK, especially for families and due to the ease of access to London, Surrey is the perfect place for our latest country mansions. The last homes we built in the Farnham area were so popular they were all sold within 8 weeks and we are confident that these three new country mansions will be snapped up just as quickly by discerning buyers looking fora property that perfectly presents quality and luxury in one of the very best market towns in the South East of England.”

Strutt & Parker are the appointed selling agents and National Partner, Roger Wade comments on this exciting new development,

“Farnham is an historic market town situated about one hour from both London and the South Coast. The development occupies a private sylvan setting within the village of Lower Bourne only a few minutes’ walk from local shops, highly sought after school, doctor’s surgery, green and tennis courts. There is a strong demand for quality new build houses in this area but tight planning guidelines have kept new development to a minimum.

“In 2010 we sold a similar scheme of 3 houses for Millgate also in Bourne and they all sold exceptionally well. Buyers really appreciated the design, quality and workmanship that went into each individual house. Their attention to detail is second to none.”

In addition to five sumptuous bedrooms and four bathrooms, these new country mansions will include wonderful family living space and two of the properties will benefit from a bonus media room on the second floor.  All three houses will look out to mature woodland at the rear with a price guide of £2,000,000

To find out more, register your interest in advance by contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk. 

 

Who lives in a house like this?

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Is it possible to guess your nationality by your home?

Somewhat reminiscent of the 80’s TV game show ‘Through the Keyhole’, hosted by Sir David Frost where contestants were shown a video tour of a mystery celebrity’s property and asked to identify who ‘lived in a house like this?’

James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt, the award-winning estate agency in Surrey says yes – the chances are you can guess your nationality by your home.
Wyatt and his team have over 120 years combined experience, working with clients from all over the world in both sales and lettings, teaching them what to show (or not to show as the case may be) their clients often based purely on their nationality.

With 70% of their current purchasers and 65% of current tenants being from overseas it has been important to acquire these skills to ensure that a client’s precious time isn’t wasted and that the utmost professionalism is shown to the buyer who will often be spending several million pounds.

So what lessons have the Barton Wyatt team learned about their international clients?  James Wyatt shares a few of his insights:

Americans are easy to please if the house is spacious, the master bathroom has twin basins, bedrooms have walk-in ‘closets’, kitchens must be modern and the fridge huge.  Reminders of home are always welcome and a top loading twin tub just might seal the deal if it’s a rental.  Americans are not hugely into large beautiful gardens – a compact ‘yard’ which appears easy to maintain is favourable.  Our friends from over the pond tend to be hugely keen on tennis and golf so the ease of access to Wentworth is a great pull for them.

Choosing from what is available today I would select Pine Acre as a must for American buyers. Set in the heart of Wentworth – which would wow anybody – this five bed, five bathroom house with all mod cons and covering a whopping 9,000 square feet is a terrific family home.

Asian nationals are often here on a 3 year stint with business so tend to be tenants rather than purchasers – but not exclusively.  The first properties we show clients from the East are gated communities.  They are very keen to move close to similar folk, congregating in certain streets or micro-areas.  They don’t tend to look for ‘big’ homes but more compact and tidy properties in a ‘safe’ environment.

In today’s market Number 7 Lime Tree Walk is a five bedroom detached family home and a dead cert for an Asian family, one of only 11 on the estate and set within a gated community.

We have worked with many Scandinavians in our locality which is particularly favoured due to TASIS (The American School) and the American Community School being nearby.  On the whole, Scandinavian clients are very easy to please. They frequently select modern and stylish properties with stripped wood flooring throughout.  The Scandinavians are attracted to creativity and design flair. Their houses often will have a really ‘cool concept’ and slick furniture so rooms need to be really quite spacious with lots of light.

Being built now is the most futuristic house to be seen on Wentworth for many years.  Fortuna Lodge will cover an extraordinary 15,000 square feet and features a central underground pool that will be an amazing feature of this six bedroom home.

Our Russian and Eastern European clients are all very private and that extends to the homes they choose. Often moving to the UK to escape a shadow of fear that hangs over the Eastern bloc, they crave concealment and do not look to ‘group’ themselves.  The houses we show them are almost exclusively new builds, never overlooked and with the very latest technology – being able to alarm your house from the other side of the world appeals to the Russian nature.  As for interiors, they love some glitzy paraphernalia – bright and shiny bling is in for our Russian friends.

If I was selecting today then Park Place in Windlesham might be the perfect choice. This is a magnificent country house which stands impressively within a mature woodland setting and approached via a private road.  Wrought iron gates open onto a gravelled drive flanked by mature trees and rhododendrons which leads to a central fountain in front of the house.  With eight bed/baths there is plenty of room for guests and staff but best of all is the Disney themed cinema, complete with ticket booth.
Comparing sales to overseas nationals in 2012 with other years shows a great leap in foreign money being invested into the UK property market.  Barton Wyatt has sold 65% of this year’s stock to foreign investors compared with 60% in 2008 and 30% in 2000.

As James comments, “Despite the recession, the UK remains a ‘safe haven’ for many global property investors with areas in and around London at the top of the wish list for many overseas buyers.”

For more information on properties for sale through multi award-winning Barton Wyatt call 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

How to make a smooth move to the best place to live in Europe

by Charlotte Ashton World

Imagine sitting out on the terrace of your stunning apartment, enjoying a beautiful view of the sea accompanied by the cool summer breeze gently passing against your face. Is it any wonder then that this dream lifestyle is so highly sought after, with Portugal recently being voted the best place to live in Europe and 3rd best in the world according to a survey carried out by Natwest Bank.

The desire for a better life has led more and more people, particularly British citizens, to move abroad, with Portugal working hard to become an attractive destination for wealthy, highly qualified individuals who are prepared to invest and work in the country. As a result of Portugal’s charm and quality of life, the nation remains in the top 5 property destinations for property buyers according to data from overseas property portal, TheMoveChannel.com, ranking 4th in September 2012.
Ben Taylor, author of new book ‘Moving to Portugal’ comments,
“When it comes to moving abroad, Portugal has long ranked as a popular location, with many expats choosing The Algarve for its 300 days of sunshine per year, 200km of coastline and quality housing.
“Relocating overseas it is a big step and is something that needs a lot of consideration. For my wife and I, Portugal made the ideal overseas living destination with quaint villages, beautiful beaches and easy access to friends and family back in the UK. Moving here was one of the best decisions we ever made, but at times it was tough. Our book documents the life of two people who have been through the whole experience – we think the best advice comes from the people who have lived through it and came out the other end.”
For those thinking about relocating abroad why not take a look at Ben Taylor’s top ten tips to ensure a smooth move.
1. Choose the Right Area
There’s no such thing as too much research when moving abroad. Find out all there is to know about your chosen destination and consider the fact that a place that is perfect for holidays may not be so ideal for year round living.
2. Visit Several Times
You must see your intended new home at its worst as well as its best – this means visiting in the depths of winter as well as the heat of summer.
3. Research the Employment Situation
Never move abroad without knowing exactly how you are going to support yourself. Many dream destinations (including Portugal) are places where employment is extremely scarce. Don’t be one the many expats who returns home penniless after just a few months.
4. Join the Forums
You will find expat Internet forums for every conceivable destination. Join them, get involved, and get to know people who have already made the move. These people can be a great source of information and support.

5. Think of the Practicalities
You must know all the details about healthcare, taxation, motoring and education. For example, someone moving to Portugal should know that healthcare isn’t an automatic entitlement (until social security is being paid), and that cars are far more expensive than in most other European countries. Research is the only thing that can protect against unpleasant surprises.
6. Decide what to Take
Shipping goods costs money, but so does re-buying things. As soon as you know you are moving, it is time to take stock and make some big decisions. Few expats look back and wish they had shipped more possessions – most find themselves with boxes still unpacked years later.
7. Consider Renting
If you own property in your home country, you can always rent it out on a temporary basis, and do the same abroad until you are sure you are making the right decision. There’s no need to burn all bridges.
8. Try more than one Area
If you do decide to rent initially, there’s nothing to stop you trying 6-12 months in a number of locations – perhaps you can’t decide between country and seaside living, so why not experience both?
9. Leave Cleanly
You can avoid plenty of hassle down the line by making sure your departure is organised – speak to the local tax authorities, obtain copies of medical records and set up mail redirections. You may, however, wish to leave bank accounts open, in case they prove difficult to reopen if you move back.
10. Learn the Language
It is said that you will never truly appreciate a country’s culture until you speak its language. Absorb yourself in the language of your new home and make every attempt to learn – it’s only polite, and your new neighbours will appreciate it.
For more top tips or information about the author, Ben Taylor, who describes himself as ‘an aspiring travel writer, competent cook, Microsoft certified techno-geek, music obsessive, and recent migrant from rainy London to sunny Portugal’ why not read his award-winning blog – Moving to Portugal (www.movingtoportugal.org), call +44 208 133 5244 or email ben@movingtoportugal.org.
To order the book in paperback (RRP £8.99): http://tinyurl.com/portugalbook
To order the Kindle version (RRP £5.45): http://tinyurl.com/portugalkindle