Estate Agents Trips?

[christopherdouglas]

Hi, we are Hellen & Chris and we're new to the ex-pats forum. We are looking at moving to the Silver Coast in the next 12-18 months and, having looked at some property ads we have been contacted by an agant offering us a week visiting houses. We pay for the flights and they put us up in B&B and ferry us around to show us houses for sale. Now, this sounds a bit too good to be true. They know that we are looking fairly long term so I can't help wondering whats in it for them in the meantime. Has ayone got any experience of these trips? Our only experience is of the time-share seller type - awful, very high pressure. Any info would be very helpful. Thanks, Hellen & Chris, Souhampton (Cold & Wet, so you're not missing anything!)

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by christopherdouglas

Hi, we are Hellen & Chris and we're new to the ex-pats forum. We are looking at moving to the Silver Coast in the next 12-18 months and, having looked at some property ads we have been contacted by an agant offering us a week visiting houses. We pay for the flights and they put us up in B&B and ferry us around to show us houses for sale. Now, this sounds a bit too good to be true. They know that we are looking fairly long term so I can't help wondering whats in it for them in the meantime. Has ayone got any experience of these trips? Our only experience is of the time-share seller type - awful, very high pressure. Any info would be very helpful. Thanks, Hellen & Chris, Souhampton (Cold & Wet, so you're not missing anything!)

If you go on an inspection trip you are baby sat for the whole time with high pressure techniques. Their one aim is to sell you something at all costs whether it is the right property for you or not.
You are far better to go under your own steam and look around, get to know the area and see what is available with a variety of estate agents and developers, especially if you dont want to purchase just yet.
Treat the whole thing as a holiday with some fact finding for now.
Regards Veronica

[christopherdouglas]

Hello Veronica, yes we think you may have that just about right. I have just got off the phone from them - their second call in two days - to ask when we would like to go out and look and should they book flights for us!

We are looking at January/February so from what you say we'll probably be a lot better off flying to Lisbon and renting a car for a few days. From the various properties that we have seen the area around Caldas da Rainha looks promising but we really havn't a clue until we look for ourselves - Google Maps are only so good!

Thanks again, regards, Hellen & Chris

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by christopherdouglas

Hello Veronica, yes we think you may have that just about right. I have just got off the phone from them - their second call in two days - to ask when we would like to go out and look and should they book flights for us!

We are looking at January/February so from what you say we'll probably be a lot better off flying to Lisbon and renting a car for a few days. From the various properties that we have seen the area around Caldas da Rainha looks promising but we really havn't a clue until we look for ourselves - Google Maps are only so good!

Thanks again, regards, Hellen & Chris

I am sure that there will be forum members who live in Portugal who can advise.
Pick their brains as much as possible to find out which areas are best for oyu.
Sorry I cant help there as I live in Cyprus not Portugal.
good luck with your plans

Regards
Veronica

[silvers]

Hi Chris and Hellen,
How about this, I'll willingly help you for free. I live on the Silver coast and absolutely love it. People ask me what I get out of doing this, I will tell you the same as I tell them. The sight of the joy on the faces of potential buyers, that's my payback.
Send me an email with your requirements and I will search online for what maybe your future home, and when you get here I will show you the best areas and the ones to avoid too.
James
bill@james65.fslife.co.uk

[christopherdouglas]

Cyprus! Wow. Thanks for all the info, regards, Hellen & Chris

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by christopherdouglas

Hi, we are Hellen & Chris and we're new to the ex-pats forum. We are looking at moving to the Silver Coast in the next 12-18 months and, having looked at some property ads we have been contacted by an agant offering us a week visiting houses. We pay for the flights and they put us up in B&B and ferry us around to show us houses for sale. Now, this sounds a bit too good to be true. They know that we are looking fairly long term so I can't help wondering whats in it for them in the meantime. Has ayone got any experience of these trips? Our only experience is of the time-share seller type - awful, very high pressure. Any info would be very helpful. Thanks, Hellen & Chris, Souhampton (Cold & Wet, so you're not missing anything!)

Well, no specific experience of Portugal but in general these people want to sell you something. So they are going to work very hard indeed to get you to make a decision whilst you are there, and as long as you feel you are thick skinned enough to resist the pressure they put you under its not a problem.

Also, you will only see the properties they have on their books, rather than doing it your self and seeing a selection.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by silvers

Hi Chris and Hellen,
How about this, I'll willingly help you for free. I live on the Silver coast and absolutely love it. People ask me what I get out of doing this, I will tell you the same as I tell them. The sight of the joy on the faces of potential buyers, that's my payback.
Send me an email with your requirements and I will search online for what maybe your future home, and when you get here I will show you the best areas and the ones to avoid too.
James
bill@james65.fslife.co.uk

You're not an agent?

[silvers]

Nope, just a nice guy trying to share the good life here on the Silver coast.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by silvers

Nope, just a nice guy trying to share the good life here on the Silver coast.

Thats nice to hear