Popular portugal

Portugal appeals to lifestyle buyers and long-term investors and demand for traditional properties is still strong...

The Portuguese property market has avoided making sensationalist headlines about falling house prices this year, mainly because it remains more stable than in many other European countries.

Of course, Portugal has also experienced a drop in the number of buyers this year but as prices here have remained realistic over the last decade of record gains it hasn't been hit so hard by the credit crunch.

According to Shelter Offshore, if you take the Algarve out of the equation, the appeal of Portugal has been far less attractive to get rich quick investors and it is a nation that appeals to lifestyle buyers and long-term investors.

Because of this there is still strong demand for traditional properties for sale in Portugal and there are homes fitting this description across the country, all very reasonably priced.

Apart from the Algarve where golf courses and sophisticated developments have forced prices up to dizzying heights, the rest of Portugal has enjoyed modest, healthy, sustainable growth in terms of property prices over the last decade.

This means the market is still robust and is unlikely to crash as it has in some places where properties have been over priced.

Traditional Portuguese homes off the beaten track are often just as attractive as rural fincas in Spain or ruined farmhouses in Tuscany, but are often available at half the price.

The good thing about Portugal as well is that it is a long way from running out of rural properties for sale requiring restoration.

Unlike in parts of Italy, France and Spain, where Brits in particular have bought out the market, Portugal is less explored when it comes to homes off the beaten track.

However, if you are thinking of buying in rural Portugal you will need to learn Portuguese but in return you will get a traditional yet affordable home in a country where the cost of living is still low and the climate is far more attractive than the UK.

Source: www.homesworldwide.co.uk