Our company have an excellent presence with the Encosta de Sao Jose complex and have many owners with which we effectively manage. For an up to date "goings on" at Encosta please visit our website.

hi there

again just found this message board , i have a t2 apartment bought from MRI  and awaiting the final sign off, have go the mortage from banif bank, through cfc, i am hoping to rent the property out, and looking for a furniture package company who will also do me put it and get it ready for me to rent  , i know about  vilapac who do the package for about 8000 euros . 

did anybody who bought got the white goods

who did the snagging

mri do rentals , but they said if i buy the furniture package from somebody else ,to leave all the linen and crockery out and buy from them ,do you think this is a good idea

vip    

Just found the message board.  We were in Encosta last week.  No putting green yet, no kids play area, as well what is written below.  Its a pity as its a fantastic complex.  The sooner the mgt company is set up the better.

anyone renting - how are your bookings? for us slow

Hi Nick

i here what you say regards the rentals and its a good point, i have been a bit concerned about the park and no beds etc myself when people rent my apt, i have now changed the details of my apt now for rent

Cheers Rob

Hi Nick

i here what you say regards the rentals and its a good point, i have been a bit concerned about the park and no beds etc myself when people rent my apt, i have now changed the details of my apt now for rent

Cheers Rob

Hi Nick

i here what you say regards the rentals and its a good point, i have been a bit concerned about the park and no beds etc myself when people rent my apt, i have now changed the details of my apt now for rent

Cheers Rob

Hi Nick

i here what you say regards the rentals and its a good point, i have been a bit concerned about the park and no beds etc myself when people rent my apt, i have now changed the details of my apt now for rent

Cheers Rob

Hi Nick

i here what you say regards the rentals and its a good point, i have been a bit concerned about the park and no beds etc myself when people rent my apt, i have now changed the details of my apt now for rent

Cheers Rob

Hi again all

Having just returned from a 10 day trip to San Jose there are a number of items I would like to share. Firstly all the furnishings and equipment were purchased locally. Conforama and Leroy-Merlin opposite Algarve Shopping, supplied most of the furniture and fittings, Continente (in Algarve Shopping) most of the odds and sodsa for the kitchen and all the Linen and Towels from Yorkshire Linen Company in Almancil. It is a lot of trekking around for one man and there are companies who will relieve you of this task including installation etc for a fee. But if you are on a budget like me - it is possible.

Secondly my main concern is the number of owners who are advertising their property for rent and clearly misdescribing it at the moment.

I visited the Sauna, Gymnasium and Jacuzzi (5 seater Hot - Tub area yesterday). They simply aren't built yet an d I doubt whether they will be until much later this year. Similarly there are no sunloungers around the Pool and no seating in the BBQ area. There are no satellite TV facilities and therefore no English channels. The bar across the road "Cabinitas" does have satellite TV though. There is no condiminium management at the moment so therefore no claening of common areas!

My worry is that of the few holiday makers I met whilst there, not one was impressed with thwe facilities provided and some I know are going to raise the matter with trading standards on their return. Mis-selling is a serious offence and can involve a fine of around £2000. Irrespective of that is the danger that the Condiminium will get a bad name and poor reviews therefore ruining the rental potential for many of us.

Can I ask that all owners describe the facilities accuratley and state that these facilities are "forecast" for later this year early next?  I would also suggest that a mention of the commercial rent for the completed condo should be given but the actual price charged be reduced for this season due to the lack of facilities.

A quick check of the facilities - up and running - and prices charged across the road at Jardins de Vale Paraa should help and assist you in finding the correct charge. Personally I believe that a maximum of £350 per week should be charged this year with the average around £225.

We should also work to ensure that everything is completed this year in order that a commercial return can be secured for next year.

As ever to those I have offended, blame my northern roots, but if something needs saying!!!!

Hi All

I have just found this site. I too have an apartment I am looking to furnish but I was amazed by the prices charged locally. I have sourced brand new Samsung (Inverter) split a/c's, 3 units plus outdoor compressor for just over 800 Euros in the UK. Have also found a company who will ship to Portugal (door to door) for me at £90 per cubic meter. So I have bought brand new electrical domestics including oven and hob (all silver) in UK at a total of £818 so all in all a/c and white (silver goods) including shipping for under 2000 Euros. Looked at furniture from Ikea but again was quoted a price locally of 950 Euros to collect from seville and deliver to the apartment. When I queried the price I was told that it was high but I couldn't hire a van locally myself and drive to Spain due to insurance problems. I phoned Europcar in Albiufiera, a 2 day rental with Insurance for Spain at 155 Euros for a van!!! Incidentally although a mammoth exercise for a mere male I chose all the goods from the Ikea catalogue, helpfully they are called the same in the Portugal stores (x reference using web sites) and in total the costs are just ubder 3000 euros. So a 2 bed apartment, furnished completely brand new, including all electrical goods (yes even the light fittings) and linen for all including the 2 x 3 Seater sofa beds for under 5000 Euros!

I think I have an idea for a new business! If you are in the condo feel free to contact me - will be back in Portugal in a couple of weeks.

Hi everyone,

I have some complete furniture packages for real good price for 2bed apartments. E-mail me, as the company based in Albufeira is in the business on the last 25 years. On the 2bed case it's 6.900euros VAT included.

Kind Regards

Furnituredecora

Robert  Hi, and thanks for the reply.  It's given us something to chew on!

Susan and Tony

Hi

We (Susan and Tony) have recently completed purchase on 2 bed apartment but are thinking of reselling.  Have had valuations of between 170 and 200 K (not furnished or with air con in ).  Anyone got any info on what the going rate is as we don't altogether want to rely on MFI resale or local agents.  Any info gratefully received.

Susan and Tony

Congradulations Shale,

Hi Rob,

We compleated our purchase last week. I am also speaking to Simon Moulson @ Portugal Haven. In fact, I am going tomorrow to sign the contract with him. Most likely, I am going to ask him to furnish my place. Will let you know how I get on.

Shale

HI Alison

yes now owner and all complete, from your stage if you have had valuation done from bank i would say you could be completing if you want before Xmas i would have thought , ** EDITED **, i have joinery company employing people etc and dont pay that for a h & s policy etc, never heard such rubbish in my life , as for furniture ive left the place empty at moment as dont see the rush being winter etc , will prob now go over after xmas end of January maybe when work quiet and take a few tools with me and sort furn etc from comforama, as you say will save a years mortgage payments doing this at least, as for the place it looks great and there were a few poeple there who were staying in there apts , my next door neighbours over there included, the lady who rep Gemnia when i signed deeds told me condo fees will prob be 50 to 60 euros per month, im happy if thats the case

ROB

Hi Rob,  Only just seen your message!  Are you back and now a proud owner?  We are bit behind you, having just had a valuation done and now waiting for the mortgage acceptance.  How long did you wait from our stage to the signing?   We have been thinking about the rental thing and we had a call from MRI the other day.  They told Kevin that we had to have a health & safety certificate if we rent through them, at a cost of £2.500.  Kevin said he could do this himself as he's qualified and they wouldn't accept that!  So beware there appear to be hidden costs all over the place.  We are also considering doing it ourselves through website rentals!  You appear to still be looking for a furniture package but when I looked back in May it was much cheaper to do it yourself!  When you were there could you see if many of the other appts had 'moved in'?  Any news about the safety aspect of the appts?  Its all questions at the moment. :-)

hi Alison and Shale,

i sign for my apt on the 22nd October, going out there on the 20th , a property mgn company has been intouch regards renting (managing ) my apt called Portugal Haven holidays , gave me a quote for furn pack and aircon and white goods at 15,000 euros, the aircon is the mitsubushi high quality system wit 4year gaurantee , anybody know who there going to use regards rental management etc, im just waiting to recieve some clients email addr for refference, MRI have also been intouch regards rentals also

rob

Shale

jbolt

if you can purchase a 2bed apt here for 155,000 euros take it and run because you would have to pay me alot more than that for my apt facing the pool, sounds like a few disstressed invertors not being able to complete to title deeds

hello everyone

we are thinking of purchasing a 2 bed apartment on this development however it is listed with 2 portuguese agents at 155k euro and 175k euro could anyone give me an indication of the going price for these apartments? J

hi Alison and welcome,

have been recieving emails from the  owners forum but not had any for a while, i am going over to portugal next week to sign for my mortgage as this has to be done in front of a portuguese national for a witness and to give anna my lawyer also power to sign deeds for me , i will inspect apt when i am there , according to anna i should legally own by next month, i am now also now going to furnish apt myself over the winter and forsake the deposit i had previously placed on afurniture pack with villa pac, will use algarve centre also and save a small fortune,

rob

Hi Rob & Shale, My name is Alison and I also have one of the appts at Encosta F-08. I found this site today whilst trying to find info on another property we have also bought off plan.  I'm surprised to see you appear to be the only two using it!  Have you any more info since July?  Rob - have you been picking up the emails from the other owners?  I don't see your name on the list Shale?  Has either of you completed yet?  Have either of you been out over the summer?  CFP sent our application off  this week and told us it would take 6/8 weeks.  Ana, our solicior - do you have the same as recommended by MRI - has told us 2/3 months before we will actually own it!  We, like you, are going to take our time now to furnish it as we have missed the high rental season.  I haven't been out since May and probably won't go out until we actually sign.  I did a recce then re furniture and have decided to buy most things from the Algarve shopping area just up the road.  There is also an IKEA in Seville which is only a two hour drive and they have similar stuff to here and deliver.  Did you see the email about the person who bought 2 appts and had them both broken into at the end of July!  I think it would probably be wise to change the locks once we have ownership. 

my valuation was done a couple of weeks ago by banif  bank, had the mortgage offer passed and is open to take for 6 months so now just have to wait for completion, borrowed 120,000 euros and there was no problems as bank valuation was 200,000 euros, i am waiting to take possetion of apt before getting aircon , white goods and electric shutters etc .

rob

Rob

How is your valuation progressing?  Have received a quote from the developer to install A/C, they want 1597 + IVA to supply and install.

I have also asked them to provide me with a quote to build a store room in the basement. Will let you what they come back with.

Regards

Shale

hi Shale,

i orriginally ordered a 2 seater and a three seater sofa for my apt, i then changed to a 3 seater sofa/bed and a single chair after my last visit as when i looked at sitting room i thought it would be to tight with dinig table also in there

rob

Hi Rob,

I too have looked at Villa pac, my only worry is that I do not have the exact measurement of my apartment. I want to get 2 sofas in the lounge if possible.I may contact MRI and ask them to supply me with the exact measurements. Re the store room in the basement, I am told by my lawyer that there is a space provided for everyone  but it’s up to us to have it built. I was thinking if it would be possible to pay the developers to build it for us? My mortgage is also approved via CFP, valuation is being carried out currently, hopefully I will hear from them this week. It’s good to hear that price of the apartment is going up.

Regards

Shale

hi Shale

i have ordered a furniture pack through a company called Villa pac, in total it has costed me under £7000 , they deliver and install everything from light fittings, shower screens,curtains with polls , all bathroom fittings and all furniture, basically everything you require to holiday ,live and rent out, to be honest i went for one of there more expensive packs for that price ie leather sofas and dinning chairs etc so will be cheaper if you want , they have a showroom in Bolton so i booked an inspection trip and travelled down to there showroom from Newcastle to have a look at the quality before i paid them the deposit , to be honest you could probably save yourself alot more if you have the time buying all goods at the algarve centre in Guia 5 min from encosta in a car ,if you go there go to the Conforama shop they sell everything for the apt in there and deliver all in 2 days, you could probably buy everything for apt for around 5/6000 euros, i would maybe have done this aswell but had already paid villa pac a deposit + i thought what the heck its hassle free even to the light fittings etc , i can basically walk in after they have finnished as i havent got the time because of my work commitments, have alook at villa pac on the internet site , they were recomended from eyeonworldwide and eyeonspain , i also have a storeroom in the basement at encosta , i thought every apt did, you have done well getting mri to buy your white goods, when i bought they were not in the price but i was told that the air con was installed  only to be told its pre-installed a couple of months a go , i wasnt very happy and complained but nothing became of it, i got my mortgage offer aproved today for encosta using C.F.P over in portugal ,valuation being done next week, the bank is Banif ,also got a call from M.R.I a couple of weeks ago asking if i would cosider reselling as they are struggling to show new clients off plans as they have sold most of them , isaid i would maybe consider for a good price but didnt really want to, half an hour latter there back on phone saying they had just showed a couple my apt and they would like to make you an offer to buy from you  for 210,000 euros ,i declined and said i didnt really want to sell yet but if i did would have to be alot more as i would like to keep for a couple of years at least and then see.

ROB

Rob,

Hope you are well. Have you had anymore thoughts on the furniture for your flat? I have been inquiring and MRI are quoting 15000 euros for a 2 bed flat. Seems rather expensive to me. Also, do you know of anyone who could fit electric lights etc?

I had my first surprise, when the lawyer informed me that flat will not have any white goods installed. Went back to MRI and complained and they are now saying they will pay for the goods.

Are you going to have a store room built in the basement?

Regards

Shale

cheers shale

i spoke to Rui of Gemnia yesterday, he said a gym was also to be installed in dev, he was kidding himself with completion dates though telling me May /June

rob

Rob,

Just received confirmation from my solicitor that the site  facilities will include swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna, putting green and children’s play area.

regards

Shale

Rob

The picture showing canopy roof is going to be the communal BBQ area. Re gym, what I was told was that this was going to be up to all the residence (ie we would have to fund it if we wanted it). According to the website there was going to be a putting green,gym and a jacuzzi on site, I have today written to my solicitor asking for clarification on the situation, will let you know when I get a reply.

regards

Shailesh 

knew it was to good to be true with shutters, i suppose manual ones are better than nothing ,i was a bit concerned about no shutters at all when we complete, on one of your pictures is the picture showing canopy roof and what looks like a terrace going to be a reception or restaurant/ bar or something, also do you know if they are still putting gym etc on dev also

regards Rob

Sorry to disappoint you Rob, the shutters aren’t electric, they are installed with manual pulling mechanism from inside the apartment. However, they can be converted into electrically operated one with a minimum cost. Will post more photos today.

Thanks Shale

Dev looks like its really comming on since i was last there in Febuary , from what i see from the pictures it looks like electric shutters have been fitted, must have been included in the price after all

rob

Rob, thanks for the info re furniture. I plan to go back around October, will source all the furniture from the local stores then. I have uploaded 3 photos for you to see how the development is progressing.Take a look and see what you think.

hi Shale

i also paid the same no 20000 black money though, maybe price increased after i puchased as i bought nearly 2 years ago using MRI also, when i bought i was told white goods were not included but air con and electric shutters were included in price, this developer seems to change goal posts as and when, my apt is ground floor facing the pool with south terrace, i plan to keep and see how rentals go, dont know how prices around there are going, i keep hearing conflicting stories, I plan to get my furniture etc from the Comforama store at the Algarve Centre up the road in Guia , nice furniture at great prices, i am in no hurry though, probably take possetion then maybe go back over in winter some time and spend the week getting it sorted ready for next summers rentals, Comforama deliver everything within 2 days from purchase ,

regards Rob

Hi Rob, the development is looking quite good. There is still considerable amount of work left (landscaping, pools etc). Re aircon my agent (MRI) are saying that it should only cost approx 500 euros each per room to fit and if I wanted it they would ask the developer to fit it for me. Re white goods, I got conflicting message from them first time we went to see the development they said that everything except the fridge was included but after putting the deposit down this changed to everything except fridge and dishwasher was included. Also, I am paying 155000 euros for the 2 bed apt but they also want 20000 euro as “black money” (some sort of tax avoidance scheme??) Not sure if this is legal/proper, this is my first purchase abroad. Did you have a similar deal?

I think I am going to wait until I get possession before I decide on shutters and creating a storage room in the basement. I purchased the property as a holiday home but with a view to renting it to friends and families only.  What’s your plan re all the furnishings? Do you have any contacts?

Hi Shale , whatsdev looking like now, im pleased where not completing till late in year as we have totall;y missed this summers rentals market , what ere you doing about the air con,white goods to kitchen and electric shutters ,i have had emails from gemnia the builder as regards who to pay for these etc but i am not paying for any extras until i take possetion of apt, if any damage to the goods etc i wouldnt have a leg to stand on ,i still cannot believe they were not included or we were not given the option to pay say 5000 euros or so to be added to the completion bill by developer, would have cut out the messing about and been alot easier, do you plan to keep your apt or sell it

rob

Just came back from Portugal today. I too purchased an apartment in Gale (Encosta Sao Jose). We were told that this development was due to be completed this summer.Should be ready to complete in Oct time.