| Renovating a Property in Central Portugal |
We were looking for another property to renovate, and
came across this Quintal on the outskirts of Vila Nova de
Poaires with a large "Vende-se" sign painted on the side
wall.
Telephoned the number that was on the sign, and within
minutes we were chatting with the neighbour and looking
around the property, as it was his son that had inherited
the Quintal from his Grandmother and now wanted to sell.
Solid walls, good roof and uncomplicated lay-out - four
rooms upstairs (studded walls) and two very large
"Adegas " downstairs. Separate outbuilding with
potential to turn into a self-contained guest annex. No
electricity or water, but both mains connections nearby.
Nice views across the valley and south facing - very
important in Portugal ! One thing you do not want to do
is lose the winter sun at around 3pm or 4pm. Always
work out what might lose you that sun - could be
neighbouring trees that you cannot cut down, a
mountain backdrop or that the property sits in a valley.
After two more visits to the property, we put in an Offer
and came to an agreed "buying" price through our
Lawyer. The paperwork was called in and within 5
weeks we were the proud owners of this lovely property.
came across this Quintal on the outskirts of Vila Nova de
Poaires with a large "Vende-se" sign painted on the side
wall.
Telephoned the number that was on the sign, and within
minutes we were chatting with the neighbour and looking
around the property, as it was his son that had inherited
the Quintal from his Grandmother and now wanted to sell.
Solid walls, good roof and uncomplicated lay-out - four
rooms upstairs (studded walls) and two very large
"Adegas " downstairs. Separate outbuilding with
potential to turn into a self-contained guest annex. No
electricity or water, but both mains connections nearby.
Nice views across the valley and south facing - very
important in Portugal ! One thing you do not want to do
is lose the winter sun at around 3pm or 4pm. Always
work out what might lose you that sun - could be
neighbouring trees that you cannot cut down, a
mountain backdrop or that the property sits in a valley.
After two more visits to the property, we put in an Offer
and came to an agreed "buying" price through our
Lawyer. The paperwork was called in and within 5
weeks we were the proud owners of this lovely property.
| The Date - 1771 across the top of the window. 38 years before Napoleon was defeated by Wellington in Portugal at the end of the Peninsular War. |
| (Scroll Down) |
| We started by removing and rebuilding the front balcony and the tiled roof covering, as this was in danger of collapsing |
| Leading off from the balcony, there was a small room, which had been boarded with timber, which we decided to open up as an extension of the balcony to provide a verandah seating area. |
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