Porto property blog
Plain-language guides from the inspections we do: what goes wrong in Porto’s homes, what it costs, and what to check before you sign.

Buying Property in Porto as a Foreigner: The Step-by-Step Process
How buying a home in Porto works for foreign buyers: NIF, lawyer, CPCV, taxes and deed, and the one moment to have the building inspected.
Read the guide
Do You Need a Home Inspection When Buying in Portugal? Inspection vs Bank Valuation
A bank valuation tells the bank what a property is worth. An inspection tells you what condition it is in. Why Portuguese buyers need both.
Read the guide
Drone Roof Inspection: How It Works and What You Get
How a drone roof inspection works, what it finds on tiled and flat roofs, what the report contains and when to book one. Porto and Northern Portugal.
Read the guide
Commercial and Industrial Roof Inspections in Portugal: Leaks, Flat Roofs and What to Check
Where commercial and industrial roofs fail in Portugal, how often to inspect them, and how a drone survey finds leaks and drainage problems without roof access.
Read the guide
How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost in Portugal?
What affects the cost of a property inspection in Porto, what is included and how to get a quote. Message us the listing and you get a quote in one business day.
Read the guide
New-Build Snagging Checklist: What to Check Before You Accept the Keys
A room-by-room snagging checklist for new-build and off-plan homes in Portugal: what to check at handover, how to record defects, and why to do it before you accept the keys.
Read the guide
Rising Damp in Porto: What to Look For When You View a Property
How to spot rising damp when viewing a property in Porto, what causes it, how it differs from condensation and leaks, and why thermal imaging helps before you buy.
Read the guide
DL 10/2024 (Simplex Urbanístico): What Property Buyers in Portugal Must Now Check Themselves
Since DL 10/2024 the habitation licence is no longer checked at the deed. Here is what changed for property buyers in Portugal and what to verify yourself before you sign.
Read the guide
What Every Property Buyer in Porto Should Check Before Signing
The five most common problems in Porto’s older homes: damp, roofs and terraces, timber, electrics and plumbing. What they mean and why to inspect before you sign the CPCV.
Read the guide
How to Know if a Home in Porto Is Safe (Before You Buy)
Porto’s old buildings have character, but charm hides risk. Here is how to tell whether a home is actually safe, and what you cannot see at a viewing.
Read the guide
Cracks in the Walls: How to Tell Serious Structural Problems from Cosmetic Ones in Porto
Not all cracks are equal. A home inspector explains which cracks in Porto properties are cosmetic, which need monitoring, and which should stop you buying.
Read the guide
Old Wiring and Fuse Boxes: The Electrical Risks in Porto’s Older Properties
Old wiring and outdated fuse boxes are among the most common risks in Porto’s older homes. What to look for, what a rewire costs, and when it becomes unavoidable.
Read the guide
Thinking about buying a property in Porto?
Know what you’re buying before you sign. You get a clear, independent assessment of the home: no jargon, no sales pitch.