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Invest In The Hamptons Of Europe For 280,000 Euros

Dear Overseas Property Alert Reader,

Portugal is hot.

It’s being sought out like never before, especially by Americans, for its lifestyle appeal and relatively affordable property.

Property prices have risen steadily over the past decade and spiked in the past two or three years… but they’re still affordable relative to U.S. prices.

This year, the average home in the United States costs US$416,000, which is actually a US$33,200 decrease from 2022.

Despite the dip, the deals across the pond are even better. The average home in Portugal costs just 167,048 euros, or about US$180,074.

With rich culture, high-quality health care, safety, a long Atlantic coastline full of excellent beaches, and a Mediterranean lifestyle, plus easy residency policies and tax breaks for retirees, a move to Portugal is an easy sell for the average American who’s struggling back home.

This, plus the momentum of its rising popularity, helps explain the 45% increase in American residents in 2022 compared to 2021.

Most property buyers are focused on Lisbon, Faro, and Porto, where prices are up 19%, 14%, and 13%, respectively, according to a new report by idealista.

But I want to clue you in to a different area of the country—one you may not have heard of despite the fact that it’s abundant in opportunity, natural beauty, and unique appeal.

Comporta, The Hamptons Of Europe

Comporta is an up-and-coming locale found 90 minutes south of Lisbon in the region of Alentejo.

The Hamptons Of Europe, the comporta on the map

It’s been described as the Hamptons of Europe… It’s been compared to Saint-Tropez, Ibiza, and Uruguay’s José Ignacio… but Comporta has an appeal that’s all its own.

A beach in comporta, The Hamptons of Europe

It features long expanses of soft, white-gold beaches, frothy Atlantic waters, and rugged scenery—scrabbly sand dunes, wildflowers, and so many rice paddies that you might think you’re in Southeast Asia.

Unlike much of the Iberian Peninsula’s coastline, Comporta has been spared from rapid development and is noticeably lacking in the cookie-cutter beach megadevelopments that you find elsewhere.

Instead, it comes across as a sandy outpost lost in time.

New builds are few and far between. Instead, old buildings are repurposed for modern uses. Much of the high-end housing consists of former fishermen’s cottages that have been renovated and stylishly upgraded.

Comporta has the kind of relaxed sophistication that has some describing it as “hippie chic.”

a restaurant in comporta's beach, Hamptons of Europe

People wander barefoot along sandy tracks to the beach or meander on bicycles or in golf buggies…

Local artisans sell trendy homemade crafts… Yoga practitioners offer classes in open-air studios surrounded by rice paddies…

On top of this charming esthetic, Comporta affords a high level of privacy, which has made it popular among the rich and famous, from Madonna to Nicolas Sarkozy to Christian Louboutin.

But for a few different reasons, it remains little-known to mainstream tourism and the average expat… for now.

How Come You Haven’t Heard Of Comporta? 

Until recently, the majority of Comporta’s villages formed part of a massive agricultural estate called Herdade da Comporta that dates back to the 12th century.

The estate came to be owned by the Espírito Santos, a high-flying Portuguese banking family, who in the 90s, started sectioning it off to be developed as vacation property for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

At that time, you needed a personal connection to the Espírito Santos to be invited, and the guestlist consisted of people like Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Caroline of Hanover.

Today, the estate is under new ownership and less sprawling than it once was… yet its air of exclusivity lives on. As does the legacy of mindful development that the Espírito Santos put in place.

Geography has also played a role in keeping Comporta low-key. It’s hemmed in by a nature reserve to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and Alentejo, one of Portugal’s most rugged and sparsely populated regions, to the east and south.

People are exploring new areas of Portugal as some of its most popular areas, like the Algarve, teeter towards over-commercialization. They’re drawn to Comporta for its unique charm that mixes the traditional with the modern, the simplistic with the chic.

The Biggest Opportunity In Comporta—Last Few Units Remaining

In April, Global Property Advisor Members got first access to a new landmark resort development in Grandola, a municipality whose coastal areas are in Comporta.

a render of a project pool area in comporta, Hamptons of Europe

The development has been conscientiously designed to emulate the countryside that surrounds it. It will have three buildings situated around an on-site lagoon pool, and it will offer a gym and common roof terrace.

Initially, studios and one- and two-bedroom units were available… but the project has sold rapidly, and now only a few units remain.

Specifically, there’s one two-bedroom unit left, including a private plunge pool and roof terrace, for 385,000 euros, and seven studios, which vary in amenities and range in price from 280,000 euros to 290,000 euros.

a rroom render of a comporta project, Hamptons of Europe

This is a preconstruction opportunity by a developer with a long track record in Portugal, with completion scheduled for Q4 of 2025. Click here now to take advantage of these incredible prices and snag one of the last few units available.

a render of a project pool area in comporta, Hamptons of Europe

Each unit also comes with its own private outdoor space. The pandemic taught us how important access to outdoor space and fresh air is, and this continues to be a priority for property buyers.

A furniture package is available, as well as on-site property and rental management services, making this investment opportunity fully turn-key.

You can put your property in the rental market… or not. The investment is in a freehold title to the property, which means you can use it however you like.

If you’re in it for cash flow, you can expect returns of between 4.4% (for the 280,000-euro studio) and 5.5% (for the two-bed with the private pool).

These are solid returns for a mature market like Portugal… and if Comporta goes the way of Lisbon, Faro, and Porto, you could enjoy healthy capital appreciation on top of this.

Remember that space and new development are limited in this special part of the country, which could put upward pressure on prices as Comporta’s popularity continues to grow.

Get in touch here for more information.

Sincerely,

Sophia Titley

Editor, Overseas Property Alert

P.S. In two days, Overseas Property Alert Director Lief Simon is hosting a webinar on Europe’s Next Big Hot Spots.

This is a free event, but attendance secures first access to limited inventory on projects that Lief has identified, plus discounts and exclusive payment plans.

For anyone interested in dipping their toes into Europe’s property market, you won’t want to miss this.

Here’s everything you need to know to attend:

  • WHEN:Thursday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. EDT
  • WHERE:Online, from the comfort of your own home 
  • WHO:Lief Simon, America’s #1 Overseas Real Estate Investing Expert. Along with property pros on the ground who are happy to walk you through the best deals in undervalued markets. 

Santos: Brazil’s Bustling Island City With Gardens Galore

Aerial view of Santos city, county seat of Baixada Santista, on the coast of Sao Paulo state, Brazil

A Tale of Two Cities, Part 1: Santos

Likely you’ve never heard of Santos. Almost certainly you’ve never heard of her sister city across the estuary, Guarujá. But every Brazilian has.

These cities lie about one hour southeast of the city of São Paulo. Each is situated on a large coastal island, and though each boasts lovely beaches, they are quite different in most other respects. For now, we’ll get to know Santos.

One Of The Best Cities In Brazil—But Don’t Take My Word For It

Santos is a bustling city of about 420,000. It is, in fact, generally conceded to be the busiest port in all of South America, servicing both container and cruise ships.

But Santos isn’t the grimy blue-collar town you might imagine. Around 2010, with the discovery of oil and gas reserves offshore, there was a sudden inrush of white-collar jobs. Also, many of the locals are well-paid professionals who actually work in the city of São Paulo, but who make the commute daily because they prefer to live in Santos.

Santos, in fact, regularly appears on lists of the top cities in Brazil in which to live. In 2016, Santos ranked #6 among the best cities in Brazil as determined by the United Nations, considering factors such as average level of education, life expectancy, and income. Santos was rated in 2021 as the best city in all of Brazil for those 60 and over. In a country where people are given to complaining about the government and services, everyone here speaks highly and proudly of Santos, of its superior services, safety, and high quality of life.

Santos is attractive as well. Nature has blessed her. Here, as in so many cities in southeastern Brazil, morros, those tree-covered cones of granite, so quintessentially Brazilian, nestle along the coastline. Broad beaches are washed by the South Atlantic. The unbroken gardens running along the beach are considered by Guinness to be the largest in the world.

I really like the way Santos organizes its beaches—and I’ve seen plenty here, up and down Brazil’s extensive coastline. The beaches are Brazilian, and yet organized—two words not typically used in conjunction. There are bike lanes, and the calçadão (broad beach sidewalk) for pedestrians. Permanent kiosks serve up seafood and icy-cold beers.

On the weekends, locals and daytrippers throng stalls and pushcarts, which offer everything from handicrafts to churros (wickedly delicious tubes of deep-fried pastry stuffed with chocolate or caramel cream). The beaches are broad, in many stretches a full two city blocks from the calçadão to the water’s edge. You stand surrounded by clutches of beach umbrellas of every color, and the sounds of laughter, volleyball, beach soccer, and, of course, the crash of the waves. Close to the kiosks, the smell of the sea gives way to that of churrasco, Brazilian-style barbecue. Ahhhh…

Paradise? Well, if I’m picky, the sand here has clay in it. It’s grayish in spots and isn’t as sugary soft as over in Guarujá, which we’ll visit soon enough. But there are certainly worse places to hang your hat!

If you tire of the beaches, Santos boasts an aquarium and a number of museums, including ones dedicated to coffee, the navy, fishing, soccer, and one specifically to Pelé, widely regarded as the greatest soccer player of all time, who played most of his career right here. There are botanical gardens and an orchid park housing a small zoo. You can tour the historic district (Santos dates all the way back to 1546) by streetcar. And there are good restaurants everywhere, offering seafood of course, but really almost any type of cuisine you might want.

Santos has generally fine weather, too. While there are four seasons, even in winter (June to August), daily highs often reach 70°F, and lows rarely fall below 55°F. The intermittent gusts from the south are invigorating. Summers are hot, but not oppressively so, and these days most homes have air conditioning.

Aerial view of Santos city, buildings on the waterfront avenue, county seat of Baixada Santista, on the coast of Sao Paulo state, Brazil.
Adobe Stock/Cifotart

Brazil, Only Better

I find myself liking the people here as well. They take pride in their city, and despite the continuing economic crisis in Brazil, the city provides a high level of services, and it is quite evident that the city is well managed, from garbage pickups to bus service to hospitals. You have to give credit to the paulistas for this.

Brazilians universally, if sometimes begrudgingly, acknowledge São Paulo to be the most organized and industrious of all the Brazilian states, and I would have to concur. It doesn’t hurt that Santos is one of the state’s—indeed, the country’s—wealthier cities.

While Santos forges ahead through the economic downturn, there are many apartments currently on the market. Many are second homes or investment properties, and their owners want to unload them. It’s not quite the buyer’s market you’ll find over in Guarujá, but there are definitely deals available.

Getting The Lay Of The Land Around Santos

Santos is located on a large island which it shares with the city of São Vicente—which was the first permanent Portuguese settlement in what would become Brazil.

The most attractive areas lie on the south side of the island, where the beaches are strung along an arc facing the bay and the South Atlantic.

While there are many nice areas here in which to rent or buy, the most desirable bairros (city districts) in my view are Boqueirão, which is centrally located, and Ponta da Praia, to the east, where the estuary empties into the sea. Another bairro to consider is Gonzaga, which includes the central shopping district; it’s convenient to everything, if perhaps a bit noisy. I would avoid the western end of Santos, adjacent São Vicente, as there are two favelas nearby.

Although the beach is undeniably attractive, I suggest also looking at properties one to two blocks inland, for a couple of reasons. The first is that in Santos, buses run along the beach avenue, so unless you get a unit facing away from the beach, you’ll have to contend with traffic noise and also dust if you are on one of the lower floors. And marisia, the salt air, slowly corrodes appliances.

By moving just a couple of blocks away from the beach, you’ll not only avoid these problems, but find cheaper rents, and also lower prices in pharmacies, markets, and restaurants. It’s the same in beach communities everywhere.

It’s a fairly straightforward matter to rent a furnished unit here for 90 days on what is termed a por temporada (for the season) lease. Standard long-term contracts in Brazil are for 30 months, but it is common these days to add a clause which allows the renter out after 12 months with no penalties. Traditionally, property owners have asked for a fiador, or co-signer, for long-term leases, but now most will accept a deposit held in escrow. Surprisingly, many owners actually prefer to rent to foreigners.

Santos has a lot to offer, so it’s not surprising that it’s a bit pricey—by Brazilian standards. But for those with dollars, pounds, or euros, Santos offers the most elusive of beasts: a truly desirable beachside location, at very reasonable prices.

Sabaneta, Colombia: The Perfect Small Town Living

Outdoor cafe in main square in small town Sabaneta, Medellin, Colombia

Take Two Steps Back In Time From Medellín

Sabaneta lies at the southern end of the Aburrá Valley and is 1 of 10 municipalities in the Medellín metropolitan area. It’s also the smallest municipality in all of Colombia, with an area of just 5.8 square miles (15 square kilometers).

Sabaneta is a medium-sized town… but its friendliness and closeness convey the feeling of a village.

Like the whole Medellín area, Sabaneta enjoys arguably the world’s best weather. Average high temperatures are in the upper-70s to low-80s, with lows in the 60s, all year (that’s 27˚C and 17˚C). No heat, no air conditioning, and no screens on the windows, thanks to the 5,200-foot (1,585-meter) altitude.

Sabaneta is about as unlike Medellín as you can get in the realm of Colombian cities. The pace here is slow and laid-back. As opposed to Medellín’s modern, energetic feel, Sabaneta feels like small-town Latin America… and like a community. There are a number of high-rises sprouting up around town—and even within town—but mostly you’ll find clean streets, friendly …

Guarujá, Brazil: A Laid-Back Beach Town With Relaxed Property Prices

A wide view of the beach of Guaruja in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo.

A Tale Of Two Cities, Part 2: Guarujá

Just across the estuary from Santos lies Guarujá. Though only four minutes from Santos by balsa (ferry), Guarujá is quite different in many respects.

Whereas Santos bustles, Guarujá is more of a laid-back beach town. In fact, a quick search online of the top things to do in Guarujá will present a list of beaches, more beaches, and still more beaches. Oh, and the Acqua Mundo aquarium, with its sharks and penguins.

Guarujá is full of vacationing paulistanos (residents of São Paulo city) during the summer months (December to February), and again during the July holidays. Throughout the …

Portugal’s Algarve Versus Spain’s Costa Del Sol—Finding The Best Value

The Algarve to the left and Costa del Sol to the right

When it comes to sun, sea, and sand, southern Europe offers two attractive options on its warm, southern coastline—Portugal’s Algarve and Spain’s Costa del Sol. Each share a similar history of Roman and Moorish patrimony, excellent fresh seafood, and sunny idyllic climates. Owning property and living in either of these locations is a dream for almost anyone.

The property markets of the two regions differ in both value and affordability, with the Algarve being a better choice for those who want to live in the sunshine.

Let’s take a look.

Costa Del Sol

Malaga from the skies in Costa del Sol, Spain
Adobe Stock/LucVi

Costa del Sol is located on the southern coastal area of Spain’s Andalucía region. It’s bordered by the busy towns of Nerja and Marbella, with Málaga as its centerpiece. As an American expat living in Portugal’s Algarve for three years now, I have an easy two-hour drive to Spain’s Costa del Sol. The scenery is stunning, with mountains rising dramatically out of the sea.

Costa del Sol became a tourist haven early on and, unfortunately, tourists, expats, and property developers flooded the region. Builders erected hundreds of thousands of …

Puerto Vallarta vs. Mazatlán: Comparing The Best Of Mexico

Puerto Vallarta to the left and Mazatlan to the right

One of the questions I hear most frequently is why I chose to live in Mazatlán, rather than better-known Puerto Vallarta. In fact, even here at Live and Invest Overseas, Puerto Vallarta tends to get more coverage and higher ratings.

So why choose Mazatlán Let’s compare the two.

In Some Ways, Both Destinations Are Similar…

Both Puerto Vallarta (PV) and Mazatlán enjoy choice spots on Mexico’s Pacific coast, with good access to the United States and Canada.

Both cities are long-time tourism destinations, which has both positive and negative consequences. For example, the touristy Romantic Zone in Puerto Vallarta is about …

3 Popular Seaside Towns In Mexico Within Driving Distance Of U.S.

Malecon Avenue in the coastal city of Mazatlan in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico

The most valuable convenience you can hope for when purchasing a home abroad is the ability to load up your car and drive to it… it’s one of Mexico’s biggest advantages.

Today we’re going to look at three popular spots on the Sea of Cortez, all within a day’s drive of the U.S. border: Puerto Peñasco, San Carlos, and Mazatlán.

The Sea of Cortez––also known as the Gulf of California––is the body of water that separates Baja California from the Mexican mainland. It starts at the mouth of the Colorado River. The sea is …

5 Things You Need To Know About Your Overseas Real Estate Agent

Real estate agent broker with bungalow house in background

“Imagine yourself sitting on this veranda each afternoon,” said my real estate agent, “watching the sun sink into the horizon straight out there. The orientation of this unit couldn’t be better.”

I glanced down at my compass—something I always carry when looking at real estate—and saw we were facing south. That doesn’t bode well for sunsets in the southern hemisphere.

When buying real estate overseas, your primary interface with the market will be the real estate agent. And, while the certification requirements and rules of conduct are fairly rigid in North America, you’ll find a mixed bag overseas.

So it’s best to go into your real estate search with the proper expectations. Here are five ways that I’ve found …

Tips On How To Buy Property Overseas

Hosteria Andaluza, Ecuador

A number of years ago, I bought a terrific property in Vilcabamba, Ecuador, from a friend. It was a good-sized parcel of land with a simple home and a guest cottage… and over 150 feet of river frontage. With a bounty of tropical fruits, coffee plants, and surrounded by beautiful mountains, it was a real paradise.

After a couple of years and much Spanish study, I got around to actually reading the title. What I discovered was that I hadn’t actually bought the property outright, but rather I’d bought shares of an inheritance from four descendants of the original owner. And to make matters worse, I wasn’t completely sure if I’d accounted for all the descendants…

One of the trickiest aspects of property investing overseas is verifying that you’ve got a clean title. In North America, this is something we take for granted. But overseas, ownership laws vary from one country to the next and can even vary between regions of the same country.

So before my next property purchase, I decided to get smart about titles in …