| And because we did not want to live a great | | | | If a personal check is not possible then you should |
| distance from our children we decided Portugal | | | | look for someone who knows the in's and out's |
| would be the obvious choice as we both spoke | | | | of the Portuguese system and is willing to act on |
| Portuguese. | | | | your behalf. |
| We had travelled through Portugal before and | | | | We were very lucky in that the broker we chose |
| knew the area north of Lisbon however the | | | | was very trustworthy and he introduced us to a |
| warmer climate of the south met our needs a | | | | fellow dutchman a Mr Bert Snijder who also |
| little better. | | | | happened to be a real estate agent. |
| After we had travelled through the Algarve region | | | | Through his Real estate business Alentejo Home |
| which we found crowded and spoilt by tourism | | | | Real estate Bert was able to assist us with the |
| we finally visited the Alentejo region, specifically | | | | purchase and transfer of our land and |
| the south-west Alentejo. | | | | co-ordinated the first building phase, He was very |
| This is where we decided to settle and purchased | | | | supportive and always there when needed we |
| a large block of land that by Dutch standards | | | | would also like to mention that his wife Marianne |
| would be classed as extravagant, However we | | | | was also a great comfort to us. |
| needed to purchase a large block in order to build | | | | Looking back and looking at the future there |
| our dream home under the Portugues building | | | | hasn't been a moment of regret of our decision |
| regulations as out side of the city there is usually | | | | to move to the Alentejo. The simplicity, cordiality |
| a rule that you can only erect a structure of 2 | | | | and helpfulness of the Alentejanos makes life |
| meters squared per 1000 square meters of | | | | here very pleasant. Despite the fact that you are, |
| available land. | | | | you don't feel a foreigner here because you're |
| It's now been 3 years since our new house was | | | | completely accepted. |
| built surrounded by nature with beautiful views | | | | The Alentejo is synonymous for sun, space, |
| and privacy from our neighbours. | | | | nature and rest. Are there any negative sides? Of |
| We have had many experiences in the realization | | | | course there are for in no location in the world |
| of our dream and about these i could write many | | | | everything is ideal. For the purchase of the more |
| pages but for each person these experiences | | | | luxury things, visit a contemporary theatre, |
| differ as does the choice of location and land | | | | concert and museum you must go to Lisbon. But |
| requirements. | | | | a lively local folklore surrounds us here |
| What each potential purchaser of land here in | | | | The bureaucracy is sometimes tiring, but the |
| Portugal must realise is that the laws are different | | | | people behind the desks are often so kind and |
| to those in other countries, A notary in Portugal | | | | patient. In short: "Nosso rico Alentejo" (our rich |
| doesn't meddle with checking if with the transfer | | | | Alentejo) is a place we can advise! |
| the regarding property is free of debts and if the | | | | So if you are considering your retirement or are |
| seller is entitled to sell. | | | | just looking for that little piece of paradise in the |
| Buyers should never blindly trust the broker either | | | | sun the why not consider the Alentejo region of |
| in this respect as he may not always supply all | | | | Portugal and we would reccomend that you |
| the necessary information so a personal check of | | | | contact Bert Snijder who we are sure would be |
| the local registry, taxes etc. should be carried out | | | | willing to assist you with all aspects of your visit |
| preferably through a lawyer. | | | | to this wonderful place. |