Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The Program of the XXIV Constitutional Government led by Luís Montenegro has already presented its program, where it brought together a set of reforms that intend to combat the crisis that currently feels in housing . In this context, an exceptional and temporary regime dedicated to substantial reduction or elimination of rates of urbanization, construction, use and occupation and the application of VAT at the minimum rate of 6% in construction and construction services and rehabilitation and extension of deductibility . Thus, VAT will increase from 23% to 6% in all construction and rehabilitation works in general, something that professionals in the sector and APPII - Portuguese Association of Real Estate Developers and Investors had already appealed , and to which is now given a response by the Government. According to the program, presented this Wednesday, April 10, the executive and temporary regime that the Government has in view elimination or reduction of tax costs in construction or rehabilitation works in buildings intended for permanent housing regardless of location in ARU, with compensation of local authorities for revenue losses (to be carried out through the State Budget with due guarantee in the Financial Regime of Local Authorities) , reads in point 9.2.1. In order to implement this measure, the Government of Montenegro shall either advance the reduction or elimination of the abovementioned rates and the application of the VAT rate at the minimum rate of 6% in all construction or rehabilitation interventions with the aim of increasing private supply, public and cooperative housing , but also a Public-Private Partnerships Program to build and rehabilitate large-scale real estate, both housing for students and general housing, and stimulate, as well as facilitate, new accommodation concepts in the Portuguese market . This last proposal involves regulation of concepts such as built to rent, Mixed Housing with urban density bonuses for affordable housing, coliving, modular housing, dual flexible use of student residences and housing cooperatives. Real estate developers are happy with measures Hours after the Program of the XXIV Constitutional Government was announced, the Portuguese Association of Real Estate Developers and Investors (APPII) applauded the proposals , in particular the reduction of VAT to 6% in the construction and rehabilitation of housing, pointing out that they had long claimed by the sector. We were very pleased to see that the most important of the measures claimed by the sector was now included in the Government Program, the reduction of VAT for affordable housing, says Hugo Santos Ferreira, President of APPII, making it clear that just a joint effort to bring more construction to everyone can help solve the housing problem. About Housing, also follow: Baixa de Lisboa wants to rehabilitate vacant municipal properties , 77.5% of young Portuguese dream of owning a house or New housing credits: only 3% of the poorest families had access
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The European Central Bank (ECB) is preparing to lower interest rates for the first time since 2019 and the conditions for easing restrictive monetary policy are in place . Inflation is gradually approaching 2%, a target set by the central bank, and economic activity remains fragile, which also implies greater confidence in the control of these factors, preventing side effects caused by the development of wages and commodity prices. Still, the cut should be coming soon, with a strong consensus on the part of the bank , with everything pointing to the first interest cut in the Eurozone being made in June. The last intervention to proceed to the interest cut was in September 2019, when the deposit rate was set at -0.5% . Consecutively, interest reached all-time lows until July 2022, and then a series of 10 consecutive increases, driving interest rates up by 450 basis points. According to the ECB, we will know a little more in April, but we will know much more in June , and, according to the available data, inflation fell to 2.4% in March, reaching a low since July 2021, and may continue to fall in the coming months. On the other hand, economic activity remains stagnant, although signs of improvement were shown in March. The GDP of the Eurozone countries will only be known until 6 June, together with inflation figures for April and May , as well as wage developments, representing the moment when the ECB can confidently decide on a possible rate slowdown. Continue reading: Banks anticipate resumption of demand for housing loans , Households in the Eurozone are saving more than 2022
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The study Portrait of the Portuguese Youth Population. Who They Are, What They/Move Now and What Their Expectations Are shows a worrying reality for young Portuguese, who have more and more difficulty in leaving their parents home or receiving salaries in accordance with their academic qualification. The study, coordinated by Alexandra Serra from the University Institute of Health Sciences, and by Rui Serôdio, from the University of Porto, had a sample of 5137 young people, between 12 and 30 years old. According to the analysis, 65.6% of young Portuguese receive less than 1,000 euros per month and work, on average, 36 hours per week. On the other hand, the average salary is set at 724 euros for young people who work up to 35 hours a week, while for those who work between 35 and 40 hours, the salary is 847 euros. Young people working over 40 hours a week are paid an average of EUR 1144, but data shows that a gender gap, with men receiving 26% more than women, is where the incomes are highest. As for housing, the study indicates that only 20% of young Portuguese have their own home, contrasting with the 34% who live with their parents or other relatives and the 35% who rent. On the other hand, 10% live in rented rooms, paying on average 270 euros per month, while 12% spend a value above 700 euros per month. The share of young people who dream of one day being the owner of their home is 77.5% , hoping to achieve this goal by the age of 29, although the expectation increases to 33 years for those over 25 years. Also follow: Less and less young people are homeowners
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Resorting to a credit intermediary is more common when buying a house, if there is a need for financing to cover the amount ordered in the sale. In this situation, you will be taking out a consumer credit to buy a property. However, it may apply not only to the real estate market, but also to the purchase, for example, of a car or appliance, and credit intermediaries operate in various market segments. If you don’t know what it is, how it works or what kind of professionals can guarantee it, this is the right article to read. What is a credit intermediary? As its name implies, credit intermediaries mediate between consumer and credit institutions , that is, between the person requesting the loan and the banks. It is essential to understand that under no circumstances are credit intermediaries who grant the loan. The credit intermediary will be the bridge between themselves, the consumer who needs the credit, and the banking institution , presenting proposals, advice and support. Thus, if you need a credit, you can use these entities to help you in the process with the bank , mediating the process and guiding you through the best possible option. Which entities can be credit intermediaries? To carry out this activity, entities are required to comply with certain requirements and to receive the authorization of Banco de Portugal (BdP), in order to ensure not only the fulfillment of consumers rights, as well as the legal duties to be able to carry out activity. A credit intermediary may be a natural person or company, provided that it has the authorization of Banco de Portugal to submit and propose credit agreements. And you can: • Provide support in the preparation of contracts; • conclude contracts on behalf of banks, provided that they are duly contracted by banks; • Provide expert advice services. Thus, a credit intermediary functions as an entity aggregating information , and may submit to it one or more credit proposals, one or more banking institutions qualified for this provision of services, as well as contractual services. In addition, one of its responsibilities is to provide advice and support in the various stages of contracting. What are the stages of contracting a credit? It is important to be aware of the step by step associated with the contracting of a credit, especially if you are using the help of a credit intermediary. 1. Submission of tenders and contracts At this early stage, the credit intermediary must contextualise it about all the possibilities of the consumer by presenting to it available credit products offered by the credit institutions authorised to grant loans. It is important that the credit intermediary provides complete, clear and easy-to-understand information to the consumer, delivering personalized pre-contractual information and being available to answer any questions that may arise. 2. Consumer support in the preparation of contracts If the credit intermediary decides to proceed with the contracting of a loan, it must gather all the necessary documentation for the procedures and deal with the associated bureaucratic issues, while clarifying the potential doubts that arise. This is a service that can be provided by credit intermediaries regardless of whether or not they have proposed or presented the contract with which the consumer will proceed. 3. Conclusion of contracts and provision of advice In this third stage, credit intermediaries are responsible for concluding contracts on behalf of credit institutions. In addition to this authorization, they should advise and recommend possible changes or corrections to contracts, alerting consumers to any situation. What types of credit intermediaries exist? Divided into three categories, although they can only operate in one, there are tied credit intermediaries , ancillary credit intermediaries and unbound credit intermediaries. Linked credit intermediaries These can work with several credit institutions, but only if they represent the majority of the market, acting on behalf of and under the full responsibility of these institutions. In this type of intermediation, where there is a contract between the credit intermediary and the institution, t he intermediary cannot charge the consumer charges, and his remuneration is paid by the banking institutions with which he works. Credit intermediaries in an ancillary capacity These intermediaries provide goods and services, with the objective of selling the respective goods or providing the respective services. It could be, for example, the intermediary of an appliance store or car dealership. In this type of intermediary, a different rule is applied: you can work with several credit institutions as long as they do not represent the majority of the market. Unbound credit intermediaries These intermediaries are not linked to any institution, so the intermediation contracts are concluded directly with the consumer. That is, it can establish its own conditions for the provision of services. In the contract, the value of the commission to be allocated to credit intermediation must be made explicit, and they are the only ones that can be designated as independent. Who is authorized to practice credit intermediation? As we explained above, the authorization of Banco de Portugal is necessary for the exercise of the credit intermediation activity , so those authorized to the activity are included in the lists published by the bank, which you can consult on the official website of the institution. Therefore, before using a service of this kind, consult the lists and make sure that the person or company you want to use is authorized to provide the service. There are several real estate agents authorized to this activity, which can help you in the process of not only buying a house, but also applying for credit from banks, presenting you the best proposals and offers. Explore all the real estate companies that advertise in SUPERCASA, here
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction JLL is exclusively marketing the Santa Villa residential project. This was created with the aim of developing this area of the West of the country, Santa Cruz, offering new housing and investment opportunities, as disclosed in a statement to SUPERCASA News . Located in the picturesque area of Santa Cruz, on Avenida do Atlântico, Santa Villa emerges as a response to the growing needs of the real estate market, offering a unique opportunity for development in an area in constant evolution. Designed for families looking for their first or second home, as well as for potential investors, Santa Villa promises to provide an exceptional living experience, just one hour from Lisbon. This project is distinguished by its modern architecture and its 11 townhouses in V4 typology, with gross private areas ranging between 213 and 239 m2. Each villa offers a stunning sea view, garden, private pool and garage. Currently, there is a growing trend of people looking for alternatives to the city. Whether it’s because they prefer to live further away from the capital or because they like to have a place to take a weekend getaway. Santa Cruz is one of the ideal places for this, within walking distance of the city but with an interesting and growing residential dynamic. At a time of lack of supply in major cities, the diversification of locations is crucial , explains Patrícia Barão, Head of Residential at JLL. This is a prime location for those looking for a quiet lifestyle, where the community values the connection with nature. The region is close to the sea and has beaches conducive to the practice of various water modalities, such as surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing, among others - activities that are not always easy to access for those who live in the city center.
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The Sintra City Council will invest in housing to provide answers to families and young people with housing needs , having approved, in an executive meeting, the purchase of 36 dwellings to integrate its Local Housing Strategy (ELH). This is an investment of almost 7 million euros, to ensure access to housing for residents of Sintra. In addition to promoting the offer of housing, the objectives of the municipality are to encourage social and territorial inclusion, promoting new housing choice opportunities: it is increasingly important and urgent that public entities invest in the housing sector, declares the mayor, Basílio Horta. Thus, following the market consultation until March 11, 36 homes will be acquired, with typologies T1, T2 and T3, ready to live. If you liked this information, we suggest reading more topics in SUPERCASA Notícias
Source: Adobe Stock Author: Redaction Visiting Trás-os-Montes is synonymous with unique experiences and characteristics, marked by stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. For residents, the lifestyle is quiet and peaceful, characterized by a lush nature that includes mountains, valleys, rivers and plateaus. The whole region is a paradise for lovers of this type of natural scenery, as it offers an opportunity for hiking, cycling and bird watching or other outdoor activities. What is there in this natural retreat? In addition to the mountains and the variety of attractions available to visitors, from landscapes to charming villages, Trás-os-Montes brings together a number of options for those looking for a dynamic holiday or a pleasant walk . This region includes the municipalities of Alfândega da Fé , Bragança , Macedo de Cavaleiros , Miranda do Douro , Mirandela , Mogadouro , Vila Flor , Vimioso and Vinhais . Discover some of the places not to be missed! Montesinho Natural Park The Douro International Natural Park Viewpoints In the Montesinho Natural Park, you will find mountains covered with forests, rivers and waterfalls and is ideal for hiking, cycling and nature observation . In the Douro International Natural Park, there are gorges carved by the river with breathtaking views. As for the viewpoints, we recommend visiting the most famous ones, such as São Leonardo, in Miranda do Douro, and Fraga da Pegada, Mogadouro. Which villages should you visit? Miranda do Douro This is a historic city with a strong cultural and linguistic identity. Known for its Carnival and its typical houses with wooden balconies, it is a village not to be missed. Bragança You will remember this city by its walls, which constitute the medieval castle, and a well-preserved historic center. Mogadouro This village has a beautiful historic center and a museum dedicated to local culture, where you will get to know its stories and traditions. Vinhais The village is known for its almonds and its Port wine, but you can visit historical sites with beautiful landscapes. Festivals, traditions and traditional dishes not to be missed If you are looking for animation and a good Portuguese conviviality, in Trás-os-Montes you will find a variety of traditions and other attractions that will leave you surrendered to the transmontana culture, namely the festivals of popular saints , where you will find religious celebrations with arraiais , bonfires and popular music , or the dance of the pauliteiros of Miranda . Another of the biggest events in Trás-os-Montes is Carnival, where you can find the Caretos de Podence with their traditional colorful masks. On a gastronomic level, the suggestion is that you taste the DOP ham from Trás-os-Montes, with its intense flavor and unique texture, the alheira , traditionally made with bread, meat and spices, the Mirandesa steak and the goat cheese. Have you surrendered to this region? See houses for sale at SUPERCASA if you are considering moving
Source: SUPERCASA Author: Redaction Buying land to build on can be an alternative to buying a house, traditionally already built and ready to move into. In this situation, youll have to realise that its a lengthy process and involves some bureaucratic procedures, but that in the end, once its done, its advantageous and even more economical. From the conception of the project to the execution of the work, building a house can be the most viable option for those who want a tailor-made house within the limits of their available budget , and the first step to achieving this is to buy a plot of land on which to build a house. In this step, you need to take into account aspects such as the feasibility of building and the characteristics of the land. First of all, you need to check whether it is possible to build on the land you are interested in and whether it is located in an Urban Area of Illegal Genesis. If its on an allotment site, you should consult the most recent allotment licence, check that everything is in order and pay attention to the characteristics of the land, namely whether its sloping or uphill. Its best to look for flat land , as other types will always involve more costs. Key points to look at before going ahead with the purchase Check the lands documentation and consult the Municipal Master Plan to validate its plans and regulations; Pay attention to the morphological characteristics of the land - check for water tables, check the characteristics of the soil and check the slopes of the land; Confirm whether or not the land is part of a subdivision (you can consult the latest version of the licence and the detailed plans); Check whether or not there is already an approved project; Analyse the location , solar orientation , whether there are any derogatory factors around the land or whether it will not serve as a passageway for others. Approved projects vs. unapproved projects It is essential that you analyse all the variants explained above, as you will obtain crucial information on whether or not you can go ahead with the construction of your property. In this case, one of the most important is to understand whether or not the land is part of a subdivision . If it isnt, it means there wont be an approved project, which means youll have to submit a licensing project to the town hall and, at a later stage, apply for a building licence. Once these documents are in place, you must apply for a housing licence for the property so that you can live in it. In the case of land without approved projects, you have to fulfil all the stipulated requirements in order to get the licence and, until the construction phase, it will take time and patience, depending on the pace of work of the town hall where your land is located. On the other hand, if you buy land with an approved project, it will most likely already have an authorised licensing project and a building permit ready to go. However, you should be aware that if you buy a plot of land with an approved project, the property has to be built exactly as it is designed in the project, so if you want any changes or rectifications, you may not be authorised to make them. What documents do I need to buy a plot of land? Habitation licence, if applicable; Building licence, if applicable; Licensing project, if part of a subdivision; Municipal Masterplan; Land registry; Land registry certificate; Municipal Fees Regulations for urban development activities and operations related to the municipality. If you have these documents together, youll have more security when you go ahead with the purchase of the land , as they are documents that can be requested at a later stage. What taxes will you pay? Although its a cheaper option, theres no escaping the taxes involved in buying a property. In the case of a plot of land, these are as follows: Municipal building taxes; Urbanisation fees and urbanisation compensation fees; Municipal transfer tax (IMT); Municipal Property Tax (IMI); Additional IMI (AIMI). Are you ready to move forward? Check out the unmissable opportunities available for sale at SUPERCASA! Land in Torres Vedras, 85.000€ Land in Alcobaça, Leiria, 110.000€ Plot in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, 125.000€ Building plot in Portimão, Algarve, 179.000€
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The government has approved the new National Strategy for the Inclusion of People Experiencing Homelessness 2025-2030 , which provides for the creation of alerts for risk situations and their prevention. According to the Council of Ministers, the new strategy introduces a set of measures, focusing on prevention and the creation of an integrated system for alerting people to risk situations , through personalised intervention with case managers at local level, as well as an increase in housing first solutions and shared flats. Born in the United States, the housing first project arrived in Portugal in 2009 and 90 per cent of the people covered by the initiative have never been homeless again. It is a project that integrates these individuals into society, placing them in housing that is generally individual, and in which they are monitored by technicians who teach them how to manage their home. Thus, the new strategy for homeless people will include this specialised support, reinforcing it with local support networks for people at risk or who have been homeless. Related: Housing crisis: more than 10,000 homeless people signposted in 2022
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Buying a house at auction can involve a series of precautions that well alert you to in this article, explaining exactly what this type of business consists of. Were talking about houses that have been put up for sale following foreclosure proceedings against the state, banks or other organisations. Often, these are properties that, due to non-payment, have been taken from their owners or handed over to organisations to sell in order to pay off debts, which involves a series of legal processes. Which organisations use auctions for seized houses? Banks or financial institutions Youll find houses in this situation mainly on the websites of banks and other financial institutions , since they are the ones who take ownership of the property in cases where the owner defaults on their mortgage payments. The property is the guarantee, and once the agreement stipulated in the loan has not been met , it is the bank that gets the house. In this situation, it puts it up for sale again, either by using the property market to sell it or by holding auctions. In this situation, banks can offer lower spreads and the total amount of the financing of the amount requested for the house , offering special conditions to facilitate the sale. Tax and Customs Authority Another organisation that can put houses up for auction is the Tax and Customs Authority (AT), in situations similar to those that occur with banks - by failing to pay the tax authorities, taxpayers can have their properties seized. In the case of the AT, there is either a closed letter proposal or private negotiations. Social Security Like the AT, when there are debts, this organisation has the power to seize property from debtors and sell it through public tenders. These are held annually. Order of Solicitors and Enforcement Agents (OSAE) The OSAE has developed the e-leilão website, where it sells houses that have been seized in enforcement proceedings. Town halls Council houses can be sold at public auction. What do auction sales involve? Depending on the situation, which will vary according to the entity holding the auction, the auction may be scheduled in advance, usually through specific media such as specialised websites or newspaper advertisements. Immediately prior to the auction, there will be a public display of the goods to be auctioned so that potential buyers can examine and evaluate them. It is at this point that interested participants are required to register in order to take part. To complete registration, they must provide their personal information and, in some cases, deposit a sum of money as a guarantee. If you dont buy any goods, this deposit will be returned to you and, on the other hand, if you complete the deal, this amount will be taken as part of the down payment on the property, in whole or in part. On the day of the auction, the items for sale are presented one at a time by the auctioneer, allowing potential buyers to bid a price. When the highest bid is reached, the auctioneer declares the item sold to the winning bidder. However, before all this, there are a few things to be aware of: See all the propertys characteristics Before going ahead with any purchase offers, make an assessment of the property you are interested in. With prior notice, request a visit to the house and speak to the real estate agent, as what is portrayed online does not always correspond to reality. Make sure youre making a good investment. Buying auction prices with market prices Despite the special conditions often offered at auction, this type of purchase may not pay off when comparing asking prices with market prices for properties with the same characteristics . Do your research and evaluate all the options. Ask for the propertys Certificate of Title Its important to realise that the property you want to invest in has no associated charges, especially in the case of an auction sale, where there are often associated liens and mortgages. So, to make sure youre buying a house free of encumbrances, you can go to the Land Registry Office and request the propertys Certificate of Title. This request can also be made online, but there is always an associated cost. Check if there are tenants in the property or if there are heirs who can claim it This is a measure that could save you headaches in the future. Make sure that there is no one who can claim the right to the house you want to buy , such as tenants or heirs to the property - or even the spouses of the owner of the seized house. If there are tenants living in the property for more than two years, they can exercise their right of first refusal and, in the case of heirs (spouses, children and parents), they can exercise their right of redemption to buy the house. How does bank financing work? If you end up buying a property at auction, you will have to sign a Promissory Purchase and Sale Agreement, thus formalising the transaction. However, if you need a mortgage to make the purchase, you should first ask for pre-approval of the loan before committing to any deal. Ideally, you should do this before even registering for the auction, regardless of whether or not you know the value of the property, in order to check that you meet all the conditions necessary for the loan to be granted. Buying a house at auction is a simpler process than it looks , requiring only a few standard procedures when it comes to participating in the auction itself . For the rest, it resembles a traditional buying process. If you have any doubts, we recommend you read the following articles : Donation in life or receiving an inheritance: tax implications , What is Usucaption?
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Data from the Survey of Living Conditions and Income released by the National Statistics Institute (INE) confirms the increasing difficulty of buying or renting a home in Portugal, both because of the scarcity of available homes and because of the high prices. These factors have affected families from all walks of life, especially young people, forcing many people to move back in with their parents or share rooms with their children. According to the figures, in 2023, one in five families lived in a property without enough rooms for the number of people in the household . Thus, 12.9 per cent of the population lives in overcrowded housing , of which 21 per cent are young people and 14 per cent are adults. The rate of housing overcrowding increased last year by 3.5 per cent compared to 2022, and is already the highest since 2010, when it stood at 14.6 per cent. The increase can be explained by the fact that many of these families were forced to sell their homes and, without finding an alternative they could afford, ended up in a situation of overcrowding. Other situations may be due to forced evictions from homes where landlords have not renewed contracts. The fact is that between 2022 and 2023, the number of people living in overcrowded situations rose by 37 per cent , which is 370,000 more people than the previous year. Read on: Property scams: what you need to do to avoid this situation , Fewer residents in Portugal bought a house in 2023 or Median bank valuation increased by €10 in February
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction If you have a home loan it is important to be aware of how mortgages work and everything that involves this guarantee to the bank, which can be canceled in three different situations . Through the mortgage, it ensures the payment of the housing credit that it has with your bank or financial institution, even if it defaults, since the mortgaged asset serves as a guarantee to pay the debt . But we explain everything to you in greater detail. What is a mortgage? When you buy a home using mortgage credit, you can take out a mortgage to ensure that the money the bank has lent you will be paid. In other words, it is a guarantee . Your financial capacity is assessed at this time in order to understand whether or not you will be able to repay the loan you want to borrow. Thus, the mortgage serves to minimize the risk of default, which is usually the property to acquire. However, it can be mortgaged, too, the property of a third person, and there are banks that accept the mortgage of the borrower’s family home. In short, the mortgage is the guarantor of financing for the purchase of a property, which allows buyers to pay the value of the property over a period of several years. In what situations can the mortgage be cancelled? The scenarios that may involve the cancellation of the mortgage are the sale of a property registered with a mortgage, the payment of the mortgage debt or a situation of foreclosure. Discover each of these situations. When you sell a house with a mortgage When buying a house with the financing of the bank, through a housing loan, you can see, in the future, with the sale of the same property. In this situation, where you sell the property that the bank is paying for, you can effectively cancel the mortgage. In this situation, it can only do so if the money acquired with the sale of the property is sufficient to pay the loan contracted , and must request, for this purpose, the cancellation of the mortgage and proceed to the registration of the sale of the house to the new buyer. When you pay the mortgage debt When you manage to settle the mortgage debt, you can ask for the cancellation of the mortgage, because if you have paid your debt, you no longer need to provide any guarantee. After eliminating the mortgage, you must cancel your registration in a Land Registry and, after having your mortgage loan fully paid, the bank sends you a document confirming the cancellation of this guarantee. In this situation, your contract obligations are fully fulfilled. The document that the bank will send you is called a mortgage . When you expunge the mortgage on the property you bought It can happen to buy a house with a mortgage, and it is possible to cancel it after the acquisition . The law says that the new owner of the mortgaged house can proceed to this cancellation, however, only through a judicial process. Thus, if you have bought a property recently, and it is mortgaged, after registration the purchase will not be responsible for the payment of the previous mortgage. In this situation, you must inform the creditors of the procedure, completely pay all the debts associated with the mortgage or reach a payment agreement with the creditors, which may involve the payment of an amount equal to the value of the purchase of the property. After these procedures, you must file a lawsuit with the court, proving that everything went well. Have you been clear about this? Follow SUPERCASA Notícias for more topics like this and, if you still have questions about how you can sell your home, we advise you to read Formalize the sale of a property: what are the bureaucracies