• Are you thinking of investing or settling in Rural Central Portugal and do you have practical questions about the opportunities and challenges?
• Do you need eyes and ears on the ground because you have seen properties you love on Pure Portugal, but are currently unable to come to Central Portugal yourself?
• Have you already taken serious steps towards creating your home here, but need help along the way?
• Are you encountering bureaucratic, administrative or social challenges and need someone with focus, creativity and communication skills to help you sort out the situation?

I can help you here in Portugal face to face, or from a distance by (video) call or email.  You can ask me for something short, like a single property report or to sort out one specific problem. You  can also have my assistance for a longer period of time with advice and practical support from the moment you start looking for something to the moment you move into your new home. Some clients have even given me power of attorney to act on their behalf, so I can complete a sale for them while they are preparing their move in their home country.

My main expertise is the sale process of rural off-grid properties in Central Portugal that still need a lot of love and hard work to become livable, but I assist in  the sale process of totally different properties as well. I have a solid network of builders, architects, topographers and engineers and work very closely with a local lawyer. I am passionate to connect people not only to land and buildings, but to the peculiar and lovely rural Portuguese culture that is so warm- hearted.

I grew up in The Netherlands and have a professional background in hospitality, geography and education. I speak English, Dutch and Portuguese. Follow Else on Instagram. 

Testimonials 

“Else is a literal lifesaver. She accompanied our process of trying to settle in Portugal with patience and understanding. Always quick to answer and easy to communicate with. We felt well-prepared at every step of our way. Professionally it is a pleasure to work with her: fair, to the point, knowledgeable and efficient, with good contacts to the legal sector. We would highly recommend her services if you want a well- managed and safe entry for settling in Portugal.” Reik, April 2022

“We’ve just bought a ruin in the Arganil area and asked Else to help with a few things. Her knowledge of local rules & regulations is great, she has great contacts in the building trade and has a true understanding of the typical things anyone new to the area is going to require. And the best bit is it’s all done with a smile!  Nothing is too much trouble and you really feel she’s “been there, done that”. If she doesn’t know something then she’ll admit to that and offer to help research it. No BS! The information you get for the small outlay is well worth it. Do plenty of your own internet & Facebook research until your head is spinning with information, then sit down with a real person who actually knows the real nitty gritty what she’s talking about!” Will, April 2022.

“My workshop in Benfeita was a long and protracted project with many twists and turns along the way. I am a carpenter and work in and around Benfeita. After I bought my small plot of land with an old ruin on it in 2018 I really had no idea how to proceed to make it into a proper working workshop. I knew how to build it as I had already built my own house before, but the paperwork and registration can be a daunting task to say the least. I can only have praise and gratitude for the tireless work Else did in helping me through this process and sorting everything out from the biggest of issues to the smallest of details. She liaised with the Câmara of Arganil, the architect, the building inspector and structural engineer to help steer what seemed a very complicated process to completion. I felt happy and supported all along the way and would fully recommend her work to other people in similar situations.” Thank you Else!” Peter, September 2020.

“Moving to a new country and navigating all the paperwork requirements can be a challenge if you don’t speak the language. Else helped me to be clear on exactly what documents I needed and where to get them. She has a good eye for detail, which made me feel I was in safe hands and that I wouldn’t miss any important details. She communicated with me all the way through the process, so I always felt I knew where I was with things. It really took the stress out of dealing with all the bureaucracy and paperwork. She is professional, persistent and clear in her communications – all of which are vital when buying a property and dealing with paperwork and bureaucracy involved in setting yourself up for life in Portugal!” Julia, December 2019.