buyer's Guide

Decode a listing

We have created this guide to help you understand the information provided in property listings. We hope you find it useful.

buyer's Guide

Decode a listing

We have created this guide to help you understand the information provided in property listings. We hope you find it useful.

Types of properties available

Apartments or “condomínios”/“apartamentos”, are individual units with some shared space and amenities. Depending on the standard of the condos, amenities may include a communal indoor and/or outdoor swimming pool, outdoor space, large garden, gym, and security services. They are a good option if you are looking for a low-maintenance lifestyle and want to keep maintenance costs at a minimum.

Townhouses or “moradia germinada”,  are houses with shared walls that offer a blend of privacy, space, and community living. They are growing in popularity and offer the feeling of having your own house but are part of a residential area and are low maintenance. Townhouses are ideal for those seeking more space than an apartment but prefer a smaller footprint compared to detached houses.

Detached villas or  “casa” / “moradia” are typically houses set on a large plot of land. The size of the plot and the house can differ tremendously, as can the level of luxury and finishes. Villas are available in various architectural styles, from modern designs to traditional Portuguese aesthetics.

Farms, or “Quinta” are charming Portuguese houses. Often in need of renovation work, they provide an option for those in search of a tranquil and picturesque setting. Often found in more rural areas.

Land or “Terreno”. You will find three land categories in Portugal: rustic, urban or mixed land (which includes both rustic and urban). Land prices have gone up in recent years, particularly for the land including a pre-1951 ruin. If you are looking to purchase land with the intention of building your own house, it is necessary to hire an architect to confirm what is allowed. We recommend you prioritise land with an approved project.

Typology

T0 – T1 – T2 – T3

This indicates the number of bedrooms a property has.

T0:

studio

T1 :

1 Bedroom

T2:

2 Bedrooms

 

And so on..

What is a T3+1 ? The +1 refers to a room. On the official documents, the property will be listed having 3 bedrooms. This room can be used as a bedroom but will not be designated as such.  This is totally normal, and there is nothing illegal with this denomination.

You may also find listings with the denomination V3, which refers to houses.

 
Bathrooms.

All houses must be equipped with at least one full bathroom. This means that it includes a bathtub and a bidet. A note on half-bathroom, which is a North American denomination and is not used in Portugal. The guest toilet will be listed as a bathroom. So if you have a listing mentioning four bathrooms for instance, it is most likely that  at least one of them is a guest toilet.

 
Measurements

Measurements in Portugal are done in square meters.

The conversion rate to square feet is 10.76.

 
Gross area vs. gross built area vs. useful area

This is an incredibly complicated subject in Portugal and depends on several factors such as the year of build. We can discuss this in detail with you should you become a client.

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