Source: Freepik Author: Redaction December is a month of celebration, family togetherness and magic, concepts that can be associated with the house where these feelings and emotions are shared. Buying a house in the middle of the Christmas season is unthinkable for many people, due to the hustle and bustle typical of the season, but it can be advantageous on several levels , and SUPERCASA shows you why. The fact that there are usually fewer buyers available at the end of the year offers greater flexibility in prices, which can fall and favour those who take a chance on an investment. In addition, taking out a mortgage is also more affordable if your financial institution hasnt met its targets for the year. Another advantage is the availability that many families now have during this period, with more time to visit and deal with their bank accounts, as well as to analyse their tax situation. If youre ready to take this step and want to invest in a property just in time for the end of the year, take a look at the properties SUPERCASA has chosen for you, all under €300,000, and make your Christmas wish come true! 1 bedroom flat in the Algarve - 173.000€ Flat 3 bedrooms in Aveiro - 215.000€ 3 bedroom flat in Leiria - 260.000€ 3 bedroom flat in Matosinhos - 299.000€ 1 bedroom flat in Lisbon - 299.900€ SUPERCASA Notícias wishes you Happy Holidays! In the meantime, you can follow other topics like: Christmas markets: discover the biggest in Portugal , Prepare for Christmas: 5 gift ideas for your friends homes or Tips for saving on gifts this Christmas
Source: SUPERCASA Author: Redaction Temperatures have plummeted in recent weeks , forcing people to take blankets and coats out of the wardrobe and resort to heating strategies that solve such a universal problem. For the coldest of us, this is a tricky time of year that requires a well-prepared home and, although there are many heating solutions available today, central heating and air conditioning are still the most economical options, followed by fireplaces and stoves. If youre buying a house in the near future and want to avoid having to make a bigger investment in the long term by installing one of these heating methods, invest in a house that offers you these comforts and benefit from immediate comfort. And dont forget, a house with a lot of sun exposure will always tend to be warmer and brighter! So that you can achieve this goal and leave the cold behind, SUPERCASA has selected for you the best properties on the market , all with air conditioning or central heating and good sun exposure, so that you can enjoy maximum comfort without any major worries! 1 bedroom flat in Lisbon - 895.000€ Detached House 4 Bedrooms in Braga - 788.000€ House 4 Bedrooms Duplex in Beja - 738.000€ 2 bedroom flat in the Algarve - 598,000€ Find other properties according to your preferences in SUPERCASA Notícias : Palaces and estates: the most charismatic properties for sale , Living in a Penthouse: the most exclusive properties on the market or Want to buy a house with a garden? SUPERCASA has
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Moving house is always an exciting time and usually means that you are taking the first step in the next phase of your life , so that you can soon enjoy the cosiness of a new home. However, it can also be a process that generates some anxiety, due to the large number of issues that need to be dealt with and the extra expenses you will have to incur. Its inevitable that youll have to spend some of your time dealing with bureaucracy and managing your move , but when it comes to expenses, there are a few tips you can follow that will save you money and reduce some anxiety. 1. Plan your expenses in advance The process of moving house begins even before you start packing your things. The first step should be to create a list of everything you need to buy and how much you want to spend, which should include everything related to the move, such as packing materials, transporting furniture, fuel and any labour that may be required. Create a detailed budget , as this will make it easier to stick to the amount youve set yourself to spend and to understand where you can cut costs. If its more convenient for you, you can create a calendar in which you organise all the actions youre going to take, as well as the amount youre going to spend on each one . 2. Organise your tasks Its essential to organise all the tasks you have to do between now and moving day. The easiest way to do this is by making lists, where you can designate, room by room, everything youre going to take to the new house, what you want to donate, what will go in the bin and what you can sell. By making a to-do list, youll also be able to see what materials you have at home that could be useful to reuse during the move, such as magazines and newspapers for wrapping more fragile items, suitcases and boxes. If you dont have any materials available at home, so that you dont need to buy materials that you wont be using again, we recommend that you talk to your family and friends to ask if they can give you boxes or baskets that they dont use, or even approach supermarkets and other shops that usually receive several boxes and dont mind giving some of these materials away. 3. Cut down on services During the move there are many services that can be hired to speed up the process, however, you can cut some of these costs, such as: - Removal company: choose to do the move yourself or with the help of friends and family, as well as saving money, youll create a cosy moment for everyone; - Cleaning service: it may not be necessary, but especially if you are moving into a house that has recently undergone renovations, you will need to clean the property. Hiring a cleaning service may be easier, but this is a task that you can carry out on a room-by-room basis and it will soon be finished. Take into account in your budget that, before buying a property, it may be necessary to hire a real estate agency to speed up the buying process. Although this is not a mandatory option, it is always advisable to use a professional to guide you through the process. However, if youre not immediately ready to make this investment , you can do an initial search on property portals such as SUPERCASA and CASASAPO , which will give you a better idea of the type of properties available, as well as taking you to the estate agents responsible for each property. 4. Sell what you dont need When you pack up your belongings, youll certainly notice that there are things you no longer use. Instead of throwing everything away, consider using whats in good condition to sell. If you notice that you also need to buy something new, such as furniture, you can also buy second-hand . This way, youll find more affordable options that, even if they need some repair, will allow you to have more room in your budget. 5. Update your contact details Moving house also involves some paperwork, such as updating your address with the Tax Authority, Social Security, driving licence and workplace, among others . One way to avoid unnecessary expenses is to cancel the services you wont be using during the time youll be in your old home, such as television, internet and telephone. We hope everything goes well with your move and well continue to suggest essential tips! Also read: Singles: we help you choose the right property for you , 3 steps to buying your dream home
Source: SUPERCASA Author: Redaction Have you always imagined living in a house with a garden ? There are very affordable options on the market to suit all tastes, which you can check out at supercasa.pt. The advantages of having a garden are immense, and range from the propertys appreciation , depending on its state of repair, to the fact that you have an outdoor space available that you can enjoy at any time of the year . You can adapt this outdoor space according to your needs by adding outdoor furniture, building a swimming pool or even creating a small vegetable garden. The possibilities are immense and can improve not only your property but also your well-being, as spending time outdoors is proven to be extremely beneficial. Want to buy a house with a garden? Take a look at the cheapest options weve selected for you! Triplex 4-bedroom villa in Setúbal - 464.000€ Detached House 3 Bedrooms in Setúbal - 395.000€ 5 Bedroom Duplex Townhouse in the Algarve - 755.000€ 2 bedroom villa in Porto - 420.000€ House 4 Bedrooms Duplex in Setúbal - 480.000€ Did you like the properties weve selected for you: Palaces and estates: the most charismatic properties for sale , Living in a Penthouse: the most exclusive properties on the market
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The moratorium measure came into force a fortnight ago and has already led thousands of people to apply to the financial institutions to fix their mortgage instalments , confirmed the heads of the main banks at the Banking for the Future conference. Francisco Barbeira, director of BPI , admits that they were prepared for a higher number , emphasising that the number of houses handed over in lieu of payment was zero last year . So far, 1,500 requests have been sent to this financial institution since 2nd November. The head of Novobanco , Luís Ribeiro, says that theyve been receiving around 100 requests a day, and were responding within the deadlines , revealing that the bank has already renegotiated around 17,000 loans since the beginning of the year. BCPs CEO, Miguel Maya, praised the moratorium measure, saying that it was well designed and implemented at the right time. The bank has already received around 2,000 requests to which it is responding attentively, the level of implementation of these requests is very high, between 50 and 80 per day . The rise in Euribor rates, accompanied by the rise in the European Central Banks key rates, has led to a worsening of variable and mixed rate mortgages. The government created this mechanism so that customers can ask for their home loan instalment to be fixed for two years, and at a lower rate than the current one , with the instalment being indexed to 70% of the average six-month Euribor rate for the month prior to the customers request. On this subject, read also: Banks prepare private moratorium accessible to all
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The topographical survey is an essential element in the preparation and execution of any construction project, as it is necessary to submit this document in order to register the land at the registry office, apply for a municipal licence, carry out earthworks or land removal , among other things. In this article, SUPERCASA Notícias has put together all the information you need to know about this procedure. What is a topographical survey? A topographic survey consists of mapping a given area with the aim of creating a map or topographic plan that marks all the variations in relief and other geographical features. This element is present in the various phases of construction (design, execution and supervision of the work). There are three different types of topographical survey: - Altimetric survey: defining the heights of a plot of land; - Planimetric survey: measuring the horizontal projections that define an area; - Planialmetric survey: t he combination of altimetric and planialmetric surveys. Depending on each surveyor, the information can be more or less detailed, and the format in which it is presented also varies, usually digital. This is the information that the map of the region subjected to this process should contain: - Terrain boundaries; - Elevations and contour lines on the morphology of the terrain; - Location of buildings; - Location of infrastructures (sanitation, electricity, etc.); - Location of access routes; - Location of tree species; - Geographical coordinates (if this requirement has been contracted). What is its importance? Mapping the location is essential for registering the property with the notarys office, applying for council licences for building work and assisting in the construction process. Compiling this set of data on the land you want is essential for subsequently drawing up plans, profiles and graphic representations of the lands characteristics. It is also on the basis of this document that the architect can develop a project, and it is often advisable to request this information during the process of selling the land or property in order to detect any discrepancies between the areas registered in the Land Registry or Caderneta Predial in advance. A topographical survey is used to - Determine the boundaries and areas of urban land; - Providing the necessary information to the designer responsible for the work; - Know the elevations and depressions of the land; - Facilitate legal registration of the land; - Drawing up road, canal and river profiles. Only certified professionals authorised by law can carry out this survey. To hire this service, you can use collective, public or private organisations with a licence for this purpose. The cost of this procedure will vary depending on the organisation hired, the type of land, the estimated time and the region of the country. Its advisable to ask for more than one quote, in order to gather information that will allow you to choose the best price/quality ratio. We suggest you read: Whatsapp for property consultants: find out the advantages , What is property leasing? or House deeds: find out everything you need to know
Source: SUPERCASA Author: Redaction Have you ever imagined yourself in a luxurious property, surrounded by design pieces and modern, innovative finishes? This type of property is a dream for many investors, who hope to find the best opportunity, at the best price and with the best conditions. SUPERCASA brings you a selection of the most exclusive properties on the market, which you can appreciate and consider as a good investment . Living in a luxury property means opting for certain amenities, such as privileged locations and unprecedented comfort. Youre choosing to live in a differentiated infrastructure , which is often designed by architects and landscapers who ensure that every room performs its function well, with attention to detail, efficiency and sun exposure. So take a look at SUPERCASA s suggestions and imagine yourself living in style in one of the houses we present to you, which you can buy from the agents who publicise them. 3 bedroom penthouse in the Algarve - 695.000€ Penthouse T3+1 in Cascais and Estoril - 2.300.000€ Penthouse T4+1 in Cascais and Estoril - 2.800.000€ Penthouse 3 bedrooms in Lisbon - 2.800.000€ Penthouse 4 bedrooms in Lisbon - 4.300.000€ If you liked this article, read also: Palaces and estates: the most charismatic properties for sale
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction On 2 November, the governments new measure came into force, which allows house instalments to be fixed for two years for families having difficulty paying their mortgage. However, some banks are preparing to present a private moratorium , similar to the state moratorium, with the difference that this measure should not have exclusion criteria. In order to join the governments support, certain criteria must be met, namely: Have a contract prior to 15 March 2023 and not be in default; Have taken out a home loan with a variable interest rate or mixed interest rate, if it is in a period of application of the variable rate; Not having access to the Default Risk Action Plan (PARI) or the Extrajudicial Procedure for Regularising Default Situations (PERSI). The exclusion criteria will mean that many families will not be included in the measure , hence the banks proposal for a private moratorium. In other words, these requirements will not be taken into account for the purposes of exclusion from the private moratorium, and the decision on whether or not to allow access to this measure will be left exclusively in the hands of the financial institution . All the other aspects of the moratorium are similar. It is expected that the private moratorium will also allow the amount of the mortgage instalment to be fixed for two years at an amount equivalent to 70% of the 6-month Euribor. In turn, the payment of the deferred capital, accumulated during this period, should also be spread over the remaining years of the contract. We suggest reading: What is a bank moratorium? Find out more and Home loans: you can now ask for your instalment to be fixed
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction There are several stages to the buying process, from researching the property to visiting the house and, in the final stage, signing the property deed . In this article, SUPERCASA Notícias shows you everything you need to know about this step in the process, so that you have no doubts when it comes to closing the deal. Deed of sale The deed is the last stage of the process and is the legal act that establishes the purchase and sale of a property . This is when the final contract is signed between the buyer and seller of the property, and a notary or legal representative must be present to sign this document . This process consists of: The purchase and sale contract, in which the buyer becomes the legal owner of the property; If there is a mortgage, a mutual agreement contract is drawn up, where all the steps relating to the loan are reviewed. This is when the bank provides the amount requested by the client. To sign the deed, you can go to a Notarys Office , a Land Registry Office or a Casa Pronta branch , a government service for matters relating to the purchase and sale of property. Types of deed There are a few different types of deed depending on the purpose of the deal. The most common is the deed of sale , which formalises the sale of the property. However, other types of contract can be drawn up, including: Deed of sale with the intervention of financial institutions; Deed of gift; Deed of exchange; Deed of inherited property; Deed for a property under construction. Documents required A number of documents are required for the property deed. With regard to the intervening parties, it is necessary to submit: Identification documents for the seller, buyer and guarantors, if applicable; Proof of payment of taxes (IMI, IMT and Stamp Duty), or proof of exemption from IMT. About the property: Promissory Contract of Purchase and Sale (CPCV); Caderneta Predial Urbana or Pedido de inscrição do Prédio na matriz (Modelo I do IMI) issued by the Tax and Customs Authority; Licence to use; Housing technical file; Energy and Indoor Air Quality Certificate for Buildings; Certificate of content; Infrastructure certificate; Mortgage waiver; Toponymic certificate. Value of the property deed The costs associated with the property deed are usually borne by the buyer. These costs do not have a fixed value , but always depend on various factors, such as: The value of the property; Taxes associated with the property; Registration of the deed; Costs associated with legal services to sign the document, such as the registry office or notary. On this subject, read also: 3 steps to buying the house of your dreams and Buying and selling a house through a real estate agent: The advantages
Source: SUPERCASA Author: Redaction Living in a palace or estate may not be within everyones reach, but its impossible to remain indifferent to its architectural attributes , the details of which are certainly more prominent than in a traditional property. The areas are larger, the gardens are vast and the magic associated with this type of house , which lives in the imagination of the great historical novels and period stories, is transversal to those who visit them. SUPERCASA therefore takes you on a journey through the most charismatic palaces and estates for sale in Portugal. Available for sale, these properties are sure to inspire you if you plan to invest in one of these options . Its an investment with potential , as you can not only buy a palace or farmhouse to turn it into your own home, but also monetise its potential by turning it into a local accommodation space, for example, or another type of business that will bring you a return. Check out the most coveted palaces and estates and grab your investment! 6-bedroom palace in Lisbon - 7,500,000 euros Farm T17 in Viana do Castelo - 800.000€ Farm T10 in Santarém - 1.950.000€ Farm T16 in Portalegre - 2.690.000€ If youre looking for the best investments, read: Do you want to renovate a property? Check out SUPERCASAs findings
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction Last Friday, 3 November, the Bank of Portugal published an update to the Economy in a picture section, in which it reflects on the percentage of homeowners with a loan over the life cycle in different decades of birth , according to Census data. The note, published last week, begins by clarifying that there was an improvement in the conditions of access to housing credit in the second half of the 1980s , caused by the liberalisation of the financial system, the sharp drop in interest rates to euro area levels and the implementation of policies to encourage the purchase of housing using bank credit . The improvement in the conditions of access to home loans led to a higher number of young homeowners with home loans in the generation born between 1977 and 1986. However, the same is not true of subsequent generations , who have seen a drop in the percentage of young people with a home loan. According to data published by the Bank of Portugal, the 1977 to 1986 generation generated a boom in home loans, with more than 80 per cent of young people taking out this type of financial support. In the next generation (born between 1987-1996), the number of young homeowners between the ages of 25 and 34 who took out loans to buy a house fell to 70 per cent . Younger families were particularly affected by the increase in the unemployment rate in the period 2000-2014, as a result of the weak economic growth of the early 2000s and the sovereign debt crisis. During this period the percentage of tenants in the younger age groups rose sharply, while in the older age groups it continued to fall, explains the BdP. At stake is the reduction in the percentage of young homeowners in the most recent generations, due to low wages, labour instability and high house prices, which have worsened especially since 2015. Read more: Fewer and fewer young people are homeowners
Source: Freepik Author: Redaction The moratorium that fixes the house payment for two years, part of the set of measures defined by the government to address the difficulties of Portuguese families, can now be requested from banks , having come into force last Thursday, 2 November. However, for families who are having serious difficulties paying this instalment, the moratorium may not be the only solution, as there is a high probability of default. The moratorium will only allow for an immediate reduction in the house instalment , by replacing the loan index with one equivalent to 70% of the 6-month Euribor, plus the contracted spread. So, for a loan of 200,000 euros over 30 years, indexed to the 6-month Euribor rate with a spread of 1%, applying for the moratorium during the month of November will mean paying an instalment of 941 euros, compared to the 1,088 euros you would have paid without fixing the instalment. However, the difference between the two instalment amounts will have to be paid at the end of the two years, when the moratorium ends, plus the corresponding interest capitalisation, which translates into an increase of around 3.3% , or 11,381 euros, in the mortgage at the end of the 30 years, when compared to not adhering to the moratorium and having the same interest rate during the contract period. The conclusion? Although fixing the instalment may help in the short term, it is possible that at the end of the moratorium you will find it more difficult to pay this amount. What is the Portuguese banks alternative solution to the governments measure? There are currently solutions on the market that guarantee the stability of housing instalments over a period of two or more years, while offering the necessary short-term liquidity to families, and which are very similar to the governments moratorium. This is the solution granted in the mixed-rate mortgage offer. Mixed-rate mortgages guarantee a fixed rate for an initial period and then a variable rate for the remaining duration of the contract, offering the same premise as the moratorium. According to the Bank of Portugal, the mixed rate solution is being considered by more and more Portuguese when contracting new home loans, and even when renegotiating them: in September, 55% of new permanent home loan operations were with a mixed rate . Pros and cons of the two methods When you sign up to the moratorium, if the index of the home loan contract falls below the index resulting from the application of 70 per cent of the 6-month Euribor, the moratorium is immediately suspended, allowing you to enjoy the fall in interest rates . However, in the same way that it is suspended for this reason, it will also be automatically resumed if the value of the index in the mortgage contract is higher than that resulting from the application of 70 per cent of the 6-month Euribor. The moratorium is intended to give families complete freedom to switch from the offered rate (70 per cent of the 6-month Euribor) to the interest rate of their current contract, whichever is most convenient, in the first two years. It is also necessary to consider the credit conditions , which relate to the spread and maturity, and in the case of the moratorium, these remain the same as those on which they were initially contracted. On the other hand, when you switch to a mixed rate, you will be forced to revise the contract, and this may lead you to sign up for new financial products in order to get the most out of this type of solution , through a lower fixed rate in the initial period of the contract, as well as a lower spread during the period you have the variable rate. However, in the long term, this situation could also make your credit more expensive , so you should review all your options. Another issue to consider is the difference between a moratorium and a mixed rate solution in the formula for calculating the repayment of the outstanding capital. In the case of the moratorium, repayment may be lower due to the effect of the reduction in instalments in the first two years, whereas in the case of the mixed rate, this is not the case. So, if you have deferred capital, the moratorium may increase the cost of credit, but the mixed rate solution will not. Review your options, depending on the type of home loan you have taken out, and get information from your bank and other financial institutions to make sure you are making the right decision for you and your financial possibilities. Read all about it in SUPERCASA Notícias