All Forum Posts by: Mark C.

For anyone interested in Portugal, please join this thread. It looks like we will be having a meetup in Lisbon soon ...
https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/76/topics/658137-property-investment-in-portugal?highlight_post=4105135&page=1#p4105135

@Miles Stoll, you might be interested in this thread ....

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/76/topics/658137-property-investment-in-portugal?highlight_post=4105135&page=1#p4105135

@Mary Lev, take a look at this post, there are a few of us starting to get together in Portugal. No details yet, but follow the thread ...
https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/76/topics/658137-property-investment-in-portugal?highlight_post=4105135&page=1#p4105135

Lisbon would seem reasonable for the first meetup at least. Count me in!

I will be there from June 10th, and @Linda Weygant will be out around July 18th. 

We were looking at Ireland, and the other PIIGS of Europe. I would have gone with Ireland, I love it there. The weather is the only drawback.

Hopefully we can get something going out there and expand BP-PT!

OK, I'll throw in too, these are from a couple of years ago. We bought 3 townhomes in the same complex. All 4 bed / 2 bath / 1600sqft. We don't live in them, but we do rent-by-the-room. 

Townhome1 (October 2014) - $157k + $10k rehab & furnishings 
Townhome2 (September 2015) - $181k + $20k rehab & furnishings 
Townhome3 (January 2017) - $185k + $20k rehab & furnishings 

Income 3 x ($750+$700+$700+$650) = $8400
PITI + utilities + internet + TV + HOA = $3909

Monthly profit before vacancy & repairs =  $4491
Note vacancy rate is very low since there are 12 doors, and rent very quickly in Denver at these prices.

The bonus is that we paid $523k for them plus $50k rehab, and maybe $15k in closing costs. Total paid $588k. They are now worth $270k+$280k+$280k = $830k for a gain of $242k on $170k out of pocket (20% of $523k + $50k + $15k).

-- Mark

@Micki M. I didn't know you had been interested in Portugal.  Linda and I are relocating to Portugal later this year. Though the Golden Visa has jumped up to €500k. I am hoping to get legal on my British citizenship in March prior to Brexit. We are hoping to scope out the local market there and offer a pathway for US investors to partner up. Early days at this point, and there are some interesting legal and financial challenges in the Portuguese system, but there are also low prices and 2% mortgages!

-- Mark

@Aimee Lawrence I am in Arvada (NW Denver), and heading to Portugal to invest in June. Lisbon is a very hot market, solid appreciation but with lower cashflow / ROI. It will therefore be similar to investing in Colorado.

However, if you look outside of Lisbon there are higher cashflow markets with lower, but still good appreciation.

@Tiago Faria We were looking at something similar in Coimbra in December. I will be in Castelo Branco in March, and I want to check out Covilhã while I am there. Renting to students is a good model, and unlikely to run foul of the Portuguese tenant-friendly laws for renewals.  However, @Bryan O. is correct, it would be better in this case to cut out the middle man, take any hit on maintenance, but reap a higher profit. Over the 10 year period rents are likely to increase dramatically. We have property in Colorado that we rent in a similar way, and it works VERY well. 

The other option would be to take a mortgage. Even with 20% down, the 2% mortgage rate is a great way to boost ROI.

I have experienced with this kind of rental, but I have not yet invested in Portugal, and want to learn more about the specifics. If you are available between March 12-19th I would be interested in meeting with you.

-- Mark

@Marielle Walter did you invest in Europe?

I am currently relocating to invest in Portugal. They have not banned AirBnB, and it is relatively easy for Americans to live and/or invest there. 

My girlfriend and I, own property in Colorado, that we will keep when we move. The idea will be to find safe havens for US investment money to be put to work in Portugal.