NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2022
Events See what’s on in the Algarve
From the Experts What our specialists have to say about Currency and Mortgages
Testimonials Read what our clients have to say about Ideal homes
VILA SOL OFFICE: Urbanização Vila Sol, Alto do Semino, Lote E, Lojas 1, 2 & 3, Quarteira, Portugal T: +351 289 513 434
LAGOS OFFICE: Rua dos Celeira, Bloco 1, Loja 1, 8600-726, Lagos
Letter from the CEO...
T: +351 282 788 008
We are excited to launch our first Ideal Homes UK FREE PHONE NUMBER:
Newsletter. There will be two issues per year and we
+44 0800 133 7644
hope to share interesting, informative and important information related to purchasing property in Portugal.
USA FREE NUMBER: +1 800 435 0796
We aim to provide you with the latest news and events in Portugal and even share insights from our staff. We can’t wait to help you find your ideal property in
EMAIL:
the beautiful Algarve.
info@idealhomesportugal.com
If you have any ideas or suggestions for the next edition FOLLOW US
please get in touch with me on: angela@idealhomesportugal.com
DID YOU KNOW? Livraria Bertrand Located in Portugal’s capital city Lisbon, Livraria Bertrand, founded in 1732, is the world’s oldest bookstore that is still in operation, according to the Guinness World Records
Angela Worrall - CEO www.idealhomesportugal.com
Newsletter - August 2022
WHAT’S ON AT IDEAL HOMES
Season 7 - IHTV Season 7 of our online property series, IdealHomesTV, will premiere in August 2022. The series will be set over six episodes and viewers can tune in
A Place in the Sun Exhibition
to see amazing properties across the Algarve. Property buyers will also be able to obtain insider knowledge from professionals and experts in all fields. The series is aimed at highlighting the Algarve and all the region has to offer from the weather, food, beaches, activities, culture and will capture the magic associated with the Algarve.
Birmingham 23rd - 25th September
Topics such as the buying process, mortgages, rental and property management, the D7 visa, Golden Visa, currency
The Ideal Homes team will be
exchange will be covered throughout the series.
at the official exhibition of the Channel 4 TV show. This is
All you need to do to watch the episodes is subscribe to our
an excellent showcase of the
YouTube channel - bit.ly/3r9R8Mg
properties and services we offer to those looking to purchase
If you want to catch up on previous seasons you can catch up
property abroad.
on demand from the comfort of your home:
You will get to meet our team
Season 1 - bit.ly/3ALcqBj
face
Season 2 - bit.ly/3p6HPfb
to
face,
where
they
will assist in answering your
Season 3 - bit.ly/3FQe0pm
questions and helping you with
Season 4 - bit.ly/3tzXs0a
expert advice. We can discuss
Season 5 - bit.ly/3b1xJr5
the best way to view properties
Season 6 - bit.ly/3QnQyov
that will work for you- be it virtually or in person.
For all the latest IHTV news you can also sign up: www.idealhomesportugal.com/ihtv
www.idealhomesportugal.com
Newsletter - August 2022
2022 EVENTS IN THE ALGARVE
Portimão Sardine Festival Fatacil ‘22
F Festival
When: 3rd - 7th August
When: 19th - 28th August
When: 1st - 3rd September
Where: Portimão riverside
Where: Lagoa
Where: Faro
Info: www.vivaportimao.pt
Info: www.fatacil.pt
Info: www.festivalf.pt
Art Exhibition Sebastian Arcouet
Art Exhibition Josie McCoy
Silves Medieval Fair
Where: Côrte-Real Gallery
Where: Fresco Gallery
Where: Silves
Info: corterealarte.com
Info: www.fresco.gallery
Info: bit.ly/3PQ0iXw
Neon Run
Noites no Mirante
Mar Me Quer Festival
When: 12th August
When: 12th - 14th August
When: 12th - 14th August
Where: Portimão
Where: Monchique
Where: Portimão
Info: neonrun.pt
Info: bit.ly/3PPfvYM
Info: marmequer.pt
www.idealhomesportugal.com
When: 10th - 20th August
Newsletter - August 2022
INTERESTING NEWS
Best Algarve boroughs to “live, visit and work” revealed Source: www.portugalresident.com
CLICK TO READ THE ARTICLE
CLICK TO READ THE ARTICLE
CLICK TO READ THE ARTICLE
Algarve has most “Instagrammable” bus line in Portugal
A local’s guide to Portugal
Source: www.portugalresident.com
Source: www.cntraveller.com
CLICK TO READ THE ARTICLE
CLICK TO READ THE ARTICLE
New World Record Set for Biggest Wave Ever Surfed
Portuguese expats no longer need tax representative
Source: www.surfer.com
Source: www.theportugalnews.com
www.idealhomesportugal.com
Newsletter - August 2022
FROM THE EXPERTS:
Currency News
Mortgage News
Why you shouldn’t exchange currency at the
Our mortgage expert shares his thoughts with us:
post office Although it may be convenient, we want to ensure you are able to lock in the best exchange rate so our expert at Currency Exchange advises why you should use a broker and not the post office when you exchange currency. Read the full blog here The team here at Moving Currency can take away these headaches - whether you’re looking at luxury overseas holidays, business travel or buying assets abroad.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, our interest rates keep increasing too. In the past three to four months we have noticed an increase of around 0.8%. We currently are obtaining variable rates of around 1.4 - 1.6% and fixed rates in the region of 4.2%. Even with this increase, Portugal still has some of the best rates in the world. In order to avoid higher rates we always advise you to use a mortgage broker so they can help you obtain the best rate. We offer free consultations so please get in touch with us on info@idealhomesmortgages.com
Claire Wheatley - Senior Currency Specialist
www.idealhomesportugal.com
José Mendonça - Mortgage Advisor
Newsletter - August 2022
IDEAL HOMES VIDEO
We join Sasha Sharpley, one of our real estate consultants, as he talks about the services Ideal Homes offers to property buyers and investors worldwide. Not only do we help you find your dream property in the sun we offer a full range of services such as:
Legal Advice - We can refer you to English Speaking Lawyers Financial Advice Tax Advice In house mortgage broker - Free Consultation Golden Visa Guidance
Currency Exchange Webinars Viewing Trips Virtual Tours IHTV - Season 7 is set to start soon Open Houses
D7 Guidance Rental and Property Management Visit us in either our Vila Sol or Lagos office or get in touch and let us find your ideal home in the sun! www.idealhomesportugal.com
Newsletter - August 2022
IDEAL HOMES STORIES
Staff Profile José Mendonça Mortgage Advisor
Tell us a little bit about yourself My name is Jose but all my friends and family call me Joe. I was born and raised in South Africa. I
So what was the next step?
am married and a father of two boys and moved
Within the space of six weeks we had managed
to the Algarve two years ago.
to sell all of our possessions, purchase flights for an extortion price of R25,000 per ticket - These
Why did you choose to move to the Algarve?
were normally R8,000 prior to the pandemic so
I chose to move to the Algarve because I believed
we really had to commit to our decision to get
it would give me a strong peace of mind, provide
out the country as we were paying 3 times the
a better future for my family.
normal rate - and next thing we were on plane with nothing but the clothes on our back and our
Why did you choose Portugal over somewhere
bags.
such as the UK? I would like to say I chose Portugal over the UK
Was it difficult to sell everything and start fresh?
mainly because of the amazing weather and
No. If I put into consideration the future of my
safety but the food and wine had me hooked
family and being able to live with a peace of mind
from the start. Portugal has been voted on of the
everyday, not at all. I would even go as far as
safest countries in the world again, this was of
saying it was one of the easiest decisions I have
major importance to my wife and I.
ever made.
What spurred the decision to make the move?
What would you suggest to anyone wanting to
After six years of ‘thinking’ about moving,
make the move themselves?
unfortunately I was made redundant due to the
Do it, follow your instinct. You really never know
current pandemic and to make things worse,
what is just around the corner. Rather than
my wifes company closed down also. All of this
procrastinating for six years like I did, get in touch
happened within the space of two days so it
within myself or anyone from the Ideal Homes
really hit home that we needed to make a major
team and they can show you how you really can
decision, and quickly.
enjoy a better quality of life.
www.idealhomesportugal.com
Newsletter - August 2022
BOLO DE BOLACHA RECIPE
INGREDIENTS: 3 egg yolks 2 packs of Maria biscuits 200ml of coffee 250g of softened butter 250g of granulated white
Recipe
sugar 1 dessert spoon of sugar
Bolo de Bolacha
Our delicious step by step recipe for a traditional
5. Position a few biscuits on the plate to make
Portuguese biscuit cake, the perfect treat to
the base
enjoy with a coffee! 6. Spread a thin layer of the butter mixture on top 1. Into a mixing bowl add the butter and beat for
of the biscuits
five minutes until the butter is smooth. 7. Repeat by layering the biscuit and the butter 2. Add in the sugar then beat for five minutes.
mixture until you have five biscuits left.
3. Add the egg yolks to the mixture, beat for five
8. Finish with a layer of buttercream. Then crush
minutes, and set aside.
the remaining biscuits and sprinkle over the cake to decorate.
4. Meanwhile add a spoon of sugar to the coffee mixture, quickly dip the biscuit into the coffee
9. Place the cake in the fridge for a few hours to
mixture then place it onto a large plate. Do not
set. ENJOY!
soak the biscuit for too long as they will crumble. www.idealhomesportugal.com
Newsletter - August 2022
PUZZLES
Puzzles CRYPTOQUIP This is a simple substitution cipher in which each letter used stands for another. If you think that X equals O, it will equal O throughout the puzzle. Solution is accomplished by trial and error.
O ZUAAEKLJ YGUCL PGLCL VEXG DIJEYKCDOA SOCFOSL DY JEVZLJ GOY FLLI JEFFLJ “KGL POYKL XUOYK”
Clue: L equals E
GO FIGURE The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and
+
right hand columns of the diagram by
right and top to bottom). Use only the
x
nine numbers only once. by Linda Thistle www.idealhomesportugal.com
27
18 ÷
÷ +
+
numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and ise each of the
x +
following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to
x
4 x
+ 22
17 18
2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
© 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.
-
Newsletter - August 2022
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials
What our clients say
A big shout out to the team at Ideal Homes Portugal! We would definitely recommend Ideal Homes for purchasing property abroad and especially want to take this opportunity to thank Sandy Barreiros for the way she handled our transaction from start to finish. She listened to our needs and wants and then efficiently guided us to our little treasure. She is very informative with lots of knowledge and effortlessly provided a very enjoyable experience. Sandy has continued to support our efforts in relocating to the Algarve as well as making sure our new home is well looked after until we get there. We not only feel secure and confident in our decision to purchase a home in Portugal, we have found a very special new friend! We give the entire team a 10! Karen Provost & Glenn Walker www.idealhomesportugal.com
Newsletter - August 2022
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials
What our clients say All the staff are knowledgeable, professional and always on hand for any query! I bought my first property through Ideal Homes and the whole process went through perfectly. I have since bought another property with them. Not just the purchasing went well, but I now rent out both properties through Ideal Homes and am so pleased with all my dealings with them. I am very pleased with all my dealings I have had with the team.
Tracie S
Friendly and very professional, with bags of experience and knowledge Ideal Homes are a great company to deal with if you’re looking for a property abroad. Friendly and very professional, with bags of experience and knowledge of the locations they sell in, with a great portfolio of suitable properties. I would definitely recommend talking to Ideal Homes if you’re starting to think of properties abroad.
John D
www.idealhomesportugal.com
Newsletter - August 2022
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials
What our clients say Working with Sandy made me feel so comfortable with buying a home in Portugal. Sandy and the whole team at Ideal Homes went above and beyond to help us find a home in the Algarve. As a California resident unfamiliar with the area, Sandy took the time to meet with me on zoom to explain everything from the real estate process to highlights of different towns, and even local restaurant suggestions. She was very patient with my many questions and connected me with her mortgage and rental team as well. She also was accommodating with our eight hour time difference. Once in Portugal she made time to meet with me and worked with my busy schedule. Working with Sandy made me feel so comfortable with buying a home in Portugal. I know I can do everything I need seamlessly with the team from Ideal Homes. They offer a level of service well above the rest! I highly recommend them for any of your real estate needs.
www.idealhomesportugal.com
A polluted shore where much industrial garbage is dumped has been dubbed “the Waste Coast”.
GO FIGURE
4
CRYPTOQUIP
PUZZLE ANSWERS
Jill K. California USA
-
+ 5
27
x
x +
7
+
8
x 3
2
18
÷ ÷
3
+
6
+
22
9
4
x 17
18
Newsletter - August 2022
VILA SOL OFFICE: Urbanização Vila Sol, Alto do Semino, Lote E, Lojas 1, 2 & 3, Quarteira
Email: info@idealhomesportugal.com www.idealhomesportugal.com
T: +351 289 513 434 LAGOS OFFICE: Rua dos Celeira, Bloco 1, Loja 1, 8600-726, Lagos T: +351 282 788 008