How Michael found his dream home in Portugal

Imagine standing on the Pederneira cliffside, gazing over Nazaré’s coastline, salty Atlantic air in your lungs. No honking horns. No towering resorts. Just waves, a wide stretch of sandy beach, and traditional wooden boats overlooking the horizon.

Now imagine that view is yours.

That’s the reality Michael Tweedie stepped into when he decided to buy a home in Portugal without ever having set foot here!

Michael’s experience was recently featured on the Portugal The Simple Life Podcast. In this ‘My Home in Portugal’ episode, Michael chats with the host —and Portugal Realty Sales Director, Dylan Herholdt— who personally guided Michael through every step of his property journey.

His experience of buying an apartment in Nazaré virtually was only possible thanks to the right guidance and the right people! And with the help of our in-house team of Simple Life Home Buyer specialists, it was also simple…

Buying a home abroad is exciting… but also kind of scary

If you've ever dreamt of owning a home in a sunnier, calmer place but hesitated because it all seems too complicated, you're not alone. Michael had those same questions:

• How do you buy property in a country you don't know?
• Who do you trust to protect your interests?
• What if something goes wrong during a virtual purchase?

Michael made the decision to buy at the height of the pandemic, which added a layer of complexity: he had to buy without ever setting foot in the country.

Without speaking Portuguese and without ever having been to Portugal, he faced first-hand the overwhelming reality of new laws to understand, a different language to navigate, and the fear of making a mistake from afar. But he didn’t let these hurdles stop him because, from the start, he felt he was doing this with highly experienced Silver Coast property experts.

Nazaré – Portugal, the place where Michael found his 'wow' view.

This is where the right partnership made the difference. By working with our Sales Director, Dylan Herholdt, Michael had an advocate on the ground who understood both the Nazaré market and the unique needs of international buyers.

Dylan didn't just show Michael an apartment; he provided the "simple life" services that turned his virtual purchase into a secure, confident investment.

The Simple Life Home Buyer experience

Originally from South Africa, Michael had a vision: ocean views, a calm lifestyle, and authenticity.

He found it all in Portugal’s Silver Coast. And with our support, he remotely purchased an off-plan apartment in the stunning Sunset Views Nazaré condominium. He was guided step by step, with videos, Zoom calls, and regular updates.

This is the Simple Life Home Buyer experience: full transparency, professional guidance at every step, all the services foreign clients need from start to finish: from furniture solutions to help setting up utilities and taking care of property taxes. All in their native language. All with one dedicated team, under the same roof.

When Michael finally set foot in Portugal to see his property for the first time, he saw that the “Simple Life” promise was a dream come true: His apartment finished to his personal taste, the Atlantic sparkling beyond his terrace, friendly locals and that inexplicable feeling of feeling at “home”.

Sunset Views Nazaré Apartments – Aerial view of Michael’s sea-view property on Portugal's stunning Silver Coast

Fast forward to today, Michael has since reinvested with Portugal Realty. All because his first experience of buying property in Portugal was so smooth. 

More than about property. It’s a lifestyle.

Why are so many international buyers choosing Portugal Realty? Because you’re not just buying a property. You’re buying:

• Peace of mind: You can relax knowing that your new home is being handled by a professional team of property specialists;
• Confidence: Hundreds of happy homebuyers from all over the world have enjoyed the same seamless experience;
• Experience: Our local team understands your needs and speaks your language;
• Full support: Throughout the process, your Client Navigator will take care of everything, from start to finish.

The Simple Life Home Buyer service by Leisure Launch makes the process simple, by providing the complete solution for buying property in Portugal. You don’t need to speak Portuguese. You don’t need to be in Portugal. You just need the right team to guide you. Just like Michael.

Sunset from the Fort of São Miguel - Nazaré

5 simple steps Michael took to safely buy property in Portugal:

1. Booking a meeting with Portugal Realty

His first step was to speak with our team of experienced local property experts. During this initial consultation, he asked his questions, learned how the property buying process in Portugal works and understood the legal steps involved. This gave him clarity and confidence to move ahead with his property investment in Portugal.

2. Defining clear goals

With guidance from our Sales Director, Dylan Herholdt, he clearly outlined what he wanted: a sea view property, authentic Portuguese character, high construction quality and strong potential for capital appreciation. The property search on the Silver Coast was fully tailored to his lifestyle and investment goals.

3. Viewing properties remotely 

Although Michael was not in Portugal, he was able to explore homes through detailed property videos, virtual viewings and Zoom calls. 

4. Moving forward with full support

Through the Simple Life Home Buyer programme, he received support with contracts, due diligence, property taxes in Portugal, utility connections and furnishing. Every stage of buying a home in Portugal as a foreigner was managed by one dedicated team, making his purchase smooth and secure.

5. Securing long-term value

The experience of buying a property in Portugal was so positive that Michael decided to invest again with Portugal Realty. More than buying an apartment, he secured a safe European property investment, ongoing support and a trusted local team for the long term.

Watch the full podcast episode here:

Portugal The Simple Life Podcast
Season 4, Episode 17

Want to find your own 'wow view' in Nazaré?

Michael’s journey proves that with the right guidance, buying property in Portugal is simple, even from thousands of miles away.

Whether you are looking for a modern villa or an apartment in Nazaré with an amazing sea-view, our team is here to handle the complexity for you.

Book a call with Dylan and the Portugal Realty team today to start your journey, just like Michael did:

• Expert local knowledge: Gain insights into the best places to buy property on the Silver Coast.
• Virtual buying support: Learn how we make buying property in Portugal safe and transparent, no matter where you are in the world.
• Tailored property search: Tell us what "home" looks like to you, and we’ll help you find it.
  
  

Traditional wooden boats at Nazaré Beach

Welcome to the Simple Life! 

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