You can sometimes get better value for money if you deal direct with the developer (as an independent) rather than through an agent, as most agents take a percentage of [...]

Some agents seem to be asking, what I see, as high prices for properties they are selling not just in Santa Maria but Murdeira also. I am sure its happening [...]

Use a safe where possible, most hotels have them in their rooms, but not sure about rented apartments/villas.

Some developments provide security guards over night or 24hr, which you will contribute [...]

The re-sale market is here. 2008 has seen a change of circumstances for many people. Prior to this some people amy have had their properties up for sale for other reasons

2011 some difficulties for some result in distressed sales [...]

Be aware that some properties have been on the market for some time, you are not the first to see them and won’t be the last, there are plenty to [...]

The Real Estate Agents and developers with offices in the town usually close Saturday afternoon from 1p.m. and then don’t re-open until the Monday morning, so if you are arriving [...]

As for everywhere on the island, the first line is the one nearest the beach and these are the more expensive.

Theoretically speaking the prices should be cheaper the further away [...]

Check the size of the external areas are separate to those of the internal areas, some agents/developers may quote sizes which includes external areas, others don’t, but you won’t know [...]