The progressive rural council in Monchique, run by mayor Rui André, wants to make available a maximum grant of €5,000 to young people living in the council area, or thinking of moving there, in order that they can repair and refurbish old houses.
This support is aimed at young people under 35, or young couples with an average age of under 35.
Property development company Benagil, Realizações Turisticas SA has received the final approval from Lagoa council enabling the construction of a large resort between Benagil beach and Praia da Marinha.
The plan has approval from Lisbon with the awarding of the essential Projectos de Potencial Interese Nacional (PIN) status, thus enabling many normal planning barriers to be avoided.
The Sheraton Algarve Hotel and Pine Cliffs Resort at the posh end of Albufeira will be totally refurbished in a phased project that is set to end in 2017.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced today that the work will include all the existing bedrooms, public areas, restaurants and bars. In addition the property will be extended to include 78 eight new luxury suites, a new Italian restaurant, a signature spa and underground parking.
The Algarvean countryside is fast becoming a popular choice to buy property among foreign visitors, with homes set in beautiful locations away from the hustle and bustle of the coast, yet still in close proximity to city centres.
The 2 areas we are featuring this week are Santa Bárbara de Nexe and São Brás de Alportel.
Portugal's Algarve, located at Europe's westernmost tip and boasting 100 miles of Atlantic coastline, could be Europe's most famous secret. This region boasts Europe's best beaches, Europe's best golf courses, some of Europe's friendliest folk, and Western Europe's lowest cost of living. It's also Europe's newest tax haven.
European retirees have recognized all that the Algarve has to offer for a long time, and this sunny coastal region is the chosen destination for more than 100,000 of them. Beyond Europe, the Algarve is largely ignored as a retirement haven. However, if a Continental lifestyle appeals to you and don't have the budget for France, Italy, or Spain, this could be an appealing alternative.
A couple of weeks ago I speculated that in terms of the UK mortgage market it is not a matter of when interest rates will rise but how quickly, and now we have a bit of a clearer idea after Chancellor George Osborne announced in his Mansion House Speech that the Bank of England will get new powers to intervene in the mortgage market.
A disappointed management team from the Direção Geral do Território has regretfully decided in conjunction with Loulé council to extend the deadline for the submission of land registration data for properties in the municipality until November 30, 2014.
The decision comes after urgent discussions between Loulé council and the government body resulting in an emergency motion being passed in the Loulé assembly to extend the deadline for the submission of registration forms by property owners. The last deadline was 31 December, 2013 but so few had bothered to register that the data collected was un-useable.
This might be your last chance! The property market in the Algarve has quickly taken a turn and the good deals are quickly disappearing. If you are still looking for your ideal home in the sunny Algarve, book your visit today.
