Next door

[tonicha]

http://us.arkadia.com/for-sale/portugal ... t28666856/

You wouldn't think it was the same type of house, would you?

In answer to Ria's questions, it is normal for estate agents to charge 5% for selling, so a lot of people add that into the price. In our case, it'll be about 12,000 euros But they do all the legal side of it, so no need to get a solicitor or translator, as by law, that is what we have to have, not being native Portuguese.

Yes, we are expected to drop a little - or a lot. Some houses are vastly over-priced and they're happy to drop anything up to 50,000 euros.

We will drop no more than 5,000.

If we try and sell privately, as in putting our own board outside, we have to organise the solicitor, notary and make sure that we have all the correct paperwork - which we have, even the energy certificate. That would cost us between 3-4% and a lot of hassle, hence using an agent.

[Kaz]

It does seem very sensible Ton, to use an agent, in such circumstances, cutting out a lot of bother!!

That house looks more like a holiday let to me, than a home!

[tonicha]

That's exactly what it is Kaz - their second home, hence them being able to sell cheaper.

I can understand Carla's point of view, yes we would sell quicker if we dropped to about 180,000 - but then what on earth could we buy??

As the French guy last year was happy to pay 187,000, then we're sticking. And she knows what happened last year.

Think it's just to get a quick sale, keep her percentages up, commission for herself and the agency and also keep her job

[Kaz]

Sorry Ton, I missed your last post until now somehow

Yes, I think you are right about Carla's reasons, but good for you sticking to your price. As you say, you will need it to buy something nice yourselves! xxxx

[tonicha]

We had another chat, when we were waiting for mr Budgie Smuggler the other day.

She will, as part of her job, even do all the legal stuff if the house we buy is a private sale Brill

One house is a private sale, the other is with an agent, so we know that we'll actually save money, by using an estate agent. Weird.

[Kaz]