You walk happily down the cobbled streets. The sun’s rays are bouncing off the pretty white buildings and the irresistible smell of grilled sardines fills the air. You start to visualize your future in Portugal, either as a permanent resident or the proud owner of a holiday home.

It’s important not to let this blissful holiday feeling cloud your judgment when choosing a property. A huge variety of property is available in Portugal, so the most important thing is to give yourself plenty of time to check out your options, as well as plenty of time to calmly deliberate.

Many people planning to buy a property in Portugal are attracted to traditional stone homes. These have bags of character and can be picked up in some areas for very low prices.

Although many people turn these properties into dream homes, there are some important things to be aware of. These traditional properties are often designed more to keep the heat out than to keep it in, hence the thick stone walls and tiny windows. This is great in the summer months, but can result in quite a dark and cold home during the winter. In addition, Portugal has experienced some very wet winters in recent years, and many of these properties are susceptible to damp and mould. Try to view these properties during the winter months and check for signs of mould and condensation.

Think about heating, in both traditional and modern properties. If you have not visited Portugal in the winter, you may not be aware that it can get rather cold and that central heating is rare. Air conditioning units that operate on an inverter system can heat as well as cool, but these can be expensive to run, as can oil-fired radiators.

There are plenty of options for people who prefer modern living and in the Algarve in particular, real bargains can be found due to an oversupply of new developments, built prior to the global financial crisis.

These modern apartments are often built to a very high specification, but try to speak to owners within the developments to ask of any potential problems. Also, be sure to find out about condominium fees, and how communal parts of the development are managed. Several developers have gone out of business due to the recession, leaving communal bills unpaid and common areas un-maintained. This can have disastrous consequences if you plan to rent out your property. You are unlikely to get any repeat business if people visit your property to find lifts out of action and dirty swimming pools!

If you do plan to offer your new property as a holiday let, you may need to slightly adjust your priorities to accommodate the average tourist’s wishes, as well as your own. Easy access to beaches and amenities, and a versatile layout, need to take precedence over quirky features that may appeal to you, and only you!

Above all, enjoy the time you spend discovering your chosen area and don’t be afraid to wait until you find the property that “just feels right.” It’s sure to be out there somewhere.

Need help finding a home in Portugal?
If you’re in the hunt for a Portuguese property, a good place to start is the Portugal Buying Guide’s new property search facility. To start your search now visit http://www.portugalbuyingguide.com/content/portugal-properties