While it is possible to purchase a home without physically setting foot in it, there's nothing like visiting a property and exploring the surrounding area before making an investment decision.

Besides hopping on a flight to Portugal to embark on your house-hunting adventure, here are some considerations to bear in mind to make the trip as fruitful as possible.

• Do your homework. Pre-book viewings to make the most of your time and give yourself leeway for possible rescheduling.
• Explore the surroundings. Stay in the area you're interested in to get a feel for the place. Consider what it would be like to live or retire there, or even rent out the property.
• Stay at a great property. Whether it's a villa or an apartment, rent out somewhere that closely matches your requirements to make sure your must-haves are actually aligned with your needs.
• Enjoy some downtime. While the trip may have a specific goal, you're in the Algarve! Make the most of the region and all it has to offer.

With recent figures showing that now could be the best time to invest in a property in Portugal, make sure to avoid the main three mistakes that homebuyers make when looking to purchase a home.

Algarve Home Sales can help with your property search. Contact the team for advice on the buying process or to answer any questions you may have.