Thank you Nancy for again reminding us why we didn't build or remodel a house! Because we bought a house outright that didn't need much work, we had a pretty smooth transition. Plus, our attorney was wonderful throughout the process. Obrigada for sharing your experience.
I confess that one of the reasons we aren't yet seriously pursuing settling down somewhere is because of the European bureaucracy I keep reading about. One of the things I love about our nomadic life is how simple it is!
Thanks for the great updates, we've had to wait 8 months for the habitation license on a new construction and lived in the house for 10 months prior to finally signing the deed. Oh, yes we did had the same questions about the ugly gas box and knob. :) Congrats!!!
Good to have closure. I admire all you have done in creating a wonderful home. It took guts, creativity, persistence and courage. May you have peaceful, insightful years living a dream.
Question, Nancy: The acoustic study for how much noise goes out -- what does that measure? Do they do something loud inside (like blast your stereo) to see how much noise can be heard on the street?
They brought speakers into the house, turned them up, and then did measurements on the street. Then they did recordings inside the house of road noise.
Good post Nancy! Congrats to you and Denise to finally receive your habitation license. Now you're legal LOL.
As you know, we were granted the habitation license to our apartment in VRSA back around the beginning of February 2024. Now we are waiting for the Caderneta Predial, which is a unique certificate for each property, as an identification document of the property. Issued by the Tax Authority (AT). We cannot get a mortgage without this document, it is required by the banks in Portugal. Hoping to receive it soon.
Totally agree w Michael. Reading most of Expat in Portugal posts I get consumed with bureaucratic head spasms of why not just rent,,,,
My wife and I live in the US and travel , let’s just say, we travel. 60+ and 70+ in age, good health, employed, have also been exploring Eu for a 2 nd home. As a lifelong builder, I understand the steps needed to proceed with construction. I thought I had one more house in me to build but that got red flagged when I visited a local county planning and zoning office in a near by state. I contracted an immediate headache upon obtaining the documents/ instructions of steps to build. This hired employee by this county was one of 4 who all they did was hand out forms. We had already picked out a lot to build on, ( picked- not purchased), but after that county visit, my 40+ yrs of associations with these officials came to an abrupt halt. Now, reading Nancy’s blog, I know she gets joy out of writing these very informative articles but at what point does one just stop and smell the coffee? While some writings are of exploration and inner joy, ( which I read thoroughly)others, of the construction turmoils slash down Any desire to do this at our age. My wife and I just finished touring Morocco ( on a motorcycle I keep here in Eu), and it was one of the best adventures either of us have taken.
We are returning to the Eu in Nov to bypass the shxxshow election, explore, drink good wines, eat well and continue living life w/o investing added ibuprofen . Wish the best to all in any travel/ relocate/ retirement plans you may take part in, Ciao!
Two points: we often feel there is more bureaucracy here simply because we don't understand the steps. I hesitate to start because I am unsure of what to do next and don't feel as comfortable getting the answers I need. And yes, in some cases there are more steps.
Renting does make A LOT of sense... particularly at our age. We do not have heirs so disposing of the house after our death is an ongoing discussion. Had we been able to find a very long-term rental agreement (10 years or more) I would have felt more comfortable making it "our home".
I agree with your course of action and would have done the same. In a world of less certainty by the minute I would prefer to feel safe and shielded from the beast called inflation, as far as possible, anyway.
Thank you Nancy for again reminding us why we didn't build or remodel a house! Because we bought a house outright that didn't need much work, we had a pretty smooth transition. Plus, our attorney was wonderful throughout the process. Obrigada for sharing your experience.
Congratulations on getting legal! It might not have been a big worry, but having a lot of little ones can really drag you down.
I confess that one of the reasons we aren't yet seriously pursuing settling down somewhere is because of the European bureaucracy I keep reading about. One of the things I love about our nomadic life is how simple it is!
Congratulations 👍🏼
Sounds very tiresome. Might just go for a finished house... Well done for persevering.
Oh my gosh, what a process! Congratulations for getting through it!
Thanks for the great updates, we've had to wait 8 months for the habitation license on a new construction and lived in the house for 10 months prior to finally signing the deed. Oh, yes we did had the same questions about the ugly gas box and knob. :) Congrats!!!
Good to have closure. I admire all you have done in creating a wonderful home. It took guts, creativity, persistence and courage. May you have peaceful, insightful years living a dream.
Thanks Diane
Hope you and Gale are getting settled happily in PA
Love the way you write, Nancy, you make it compelling.
Thank you
Congrats on getting the final document approved. Enjoy!
Question, Nancy: The acoustic study for how much noise goes out -- what does that measure? Do they do something loud inside (like blast your stereo) to see how much noise can be heard on the street?
They brought speakers into the house, turned them up, and then did measurements on the street. Then they did recordings inside the house of road noise.
Yep, makes sense, thanks.
Good post Nancy! Congrats to you and Denise to finally receive your habitation license. Now you're legal LOL.
As you know, we were granted the habitation license to our apartment in VRSA back around the beginning of February 2024. Now we are waiting for the Caderneta Predial, which is a unique certificate for each property, as an identification document of the property. Issued by the Tax Authority (AT). We cannot get a mortgage without this document, it is required by the banks in Portugal. Hoping to receive it soon.
One more hoop...
Well, uh, congratulations, I guess.
Thanks...I think
Totally agree w Michael. Reading most of Expat in Portugal posts I get consumed with bureaucratic head spasms of why not just rent,,,,
My wife and I live in the US and travel , let’s just say, we travel. 60+ and 70+ in age, good health, employed, have also been exploring Eu for a 2 nd home. As a lifelong builder, I understand the steps needed to proceed with construction. I thought I had one more house in me to build but that got red flagged when I visited a local county planning and zoning office in a near by state. I contracted an immediate headache upon obtaining the documents/ instructions of steps to build. This hired employee by this county was one of 4 who all they did was hand out forms. We had already picked out a lot to build on, ( picked- not purchased), but after that county visit, my 40+ yrs of associations with these officials came to an abrupt halt. Now, reading Nancy’s blog, I know she gets joy out of writing these very informative articles but at what point does one just stop and smell the coffee? While some writings are of exploration and inner joy, ( which I read thoroughly)others, of the construction turmoils slash down Any desire to do this at our age. My wife and I just finished touring Morocco ( on a motorcycle I keep here in Eu), and it was one of the best adventures either of us have taken.
We are returning to the Eu in Nov to bypass the shxxshow election, explore, drink good wines, eat well and continue living life w/o investing added ibuprofen . Wish the best to all in any travel/ relocate/ retirement plans you may take part in, Ciao!
Two points: we often feel there is more bureaucracy here simply because we don't understand the steps. I hesitate to start because I am unsure of what to do next and don't feel as comfortable getting the answers I need. And yes, in some cases there are more steps.
Renting does make A LOT of sense... particularly at our age. We do not have heirs so disposing of the house after our death is an ongoing discussion. Had we been able to find a very long-term rental agreement (10 years or more) I would have felt more comfortable making it "our home".
I agree with your course of action and would have done the same. In a world of less certainty by the minute I would prefer to feel safe and shielded from the beast called inflation, as far as possible, anyway.