How I Put My Anger About Property Sharks To Good Use!
Interview With
Book Title
Buying Property in Portugal
First Published
Who is this book written for?
Those who are looking to buy property in Portugal.
How much did you know about your subject before writing this book? In other words, what qualifies you to write this book?
I knew most of the information, and certainly all the basic processes and documentation through hands on experience. All I had to do was research some areas in more detail that I wasn't so sure of and to keep up to date with any changes to laws, rules and regulations. This is not always an easy task in a country like Portugal, where often the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing!
What makes your book different?
It goes into some detail about how to check out real estate agents, builders and legal representatives using web sites and how to contact regulatory/governing bodies. It tells people the nitty gritty of what they should check on before buying property in Portugal, and the things they should expect to see happen and the processes and documentation involved. I think it is a more street wise guide than most. For example, I don't just tell people to use a lawyer and that is that. I tell them how to check that the lawyer is properly registered, whether they are an individual or part of a practice, what they should expect from him or her in terms of paperwork, their dealings with them and their behaviour and who to go to if they have a complaint.
Why did you write this book?
I wrote it because I wanted to help and protect others when buying property in Portugal. After discovering that I spoke passable Portuguese, many friends started to ask me to help them with small favours relating to bureaucracy and property purchase/document problems. I soon discovered that a fair number had been caught out by their lack of knowledge of the processes, documentation and language. Many had been far too trusting and gullible. It made me very angry that there were so many in the property business, including some professionals, deliberately taking advantage of others. However, rather than just let this eat away at me, I decided to play my own small part in trying to prevent it happening to others by writing this book.
What kind of research did you do for your book?
Personal experiences of friends and family, a lot of legwork, in terms of going to various departments to ask for paperwork and to find out about the various processes, writing for information via E-mail and letter (although I rarely got replies this way and still ended up having to go in person...Portugal has a fair way to go in relation to customer service and communication), phone calls and surfing about the Internet for information and useful web sites.
Tell us the single most important thing we'll learn from your book...
To do your OWN homework and checks, and never rely on others to do it all for you (or to tell you the whole picture), whoever they may be!
How would you describe yourself?
Peaceful, laid back and quiet until pushed to my limit and then ...OH BOY...stand well back...I will fight!
What's your greatest achievement so far?
Gaining a AAA's (Athletics) National Championship Silver medal in the 3000m and an MSc in Sports Science.
Who are your role models/influences and why?
Those with a warrior's attitude when it is called upon!
What's the most exciting thing that's happened to you as a result of writing your book?
The kind praise and support I have received! It has been more than I expected.
What are you working on now?
Promoting this book and thinking up my next project.
What else do you do?
Write articles and information for websites and magazines, drink wine, chat to friends, play with the dogs, listen to LOUD rock music, watch NASA TV, swim and try to stop being an Internet addict!!!
Do you have any free samples for us?
Your Audio Interview
Your Video Interview
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