we have just made an offer on a villa in carvoiero which has been accepted and wondered if anyone has any advice as we are novices in this field. We have been asked for 20% deposit and understand the usual is 10. We would also like to know any names of english speaking lawyers who could deal with the sale on our behalf as the sellers are portuguese as is the lawyer who has been doing the negotiating of the price. We would be most grateful to hear of any recommendations

michael wrote:we have just made an offer on a villa in carvoiero which has been accepted and wondered if anyone has any advice as we are novices in this field. We have been asked for 20% deposit and understand the usual is 10. We would also like to know any names of english speaking lawyers who could deal with the sale on our behalf as the sellers are portuguese as is the lawyer who has been doing the negotiating of the price. We would be most grateful to hear of any recommendations

My advice would be to pay nothing until the exchange of a promisary contract which is required in Portugese law and commits both buyer and seller to the contract. I would question why your lawyer has not told you this. Normal % would be 10% with you loosing this if you do not complete the contract and the seller paying you double, I think?
Hope this helps.
Tony

Michael,

If you care to leave an e-mail address I will pass the name of my lawyer who was excellent throughout the whole process.

I could recommend ours too! Let me know if you're interested.

our email address is jean@somerlyn.freeserve.co.uk for recommended lawyers to assist in our purchase in carvoiero. Thanks everyone.