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Buying Assistance
Full-service buyer representation: property search, due diligence, negotiation, and closing support, exclusively on your behalf.
Rather than selling you properties, I help you find and buy them well, with a lawyer's eye for detail and strong negotiation skills. Expert guidance for expats, investors and lifestyle buyers in Cascais, Lisbon & beyond.
I'm Petra Van de Velde, a Belgian-born former international transaction lawyer and hands-on property investor, based in Cascais and working across the Lisbon Coast and greater Portugal. Since 2017, I've specialized in one thing: helping expats, investors, and international buyers find and purchase their ideal property in Portugal - safely, smartly, and on their own terms.
Whether you're relocating to Portugal, searching for your dream home, or exploring smart real estate investment opportunities, I'll guide you through the entire process - from first search to signed deed.
Fluent communication and personalized support in PT, EN, NL, FR, and ES.
Career built across global markets, now dedicated full-time to Portuguese real estate since 2017.
Multicultural background enhancing international negotiation capability.
Consistently rated for dedication, transparency, and results by the buyers I've represented.
I am on your side of the table. My role is to protect your interests, structure the process, and help you make well-informed decisions, from first call to keys in hand.
Full-service buyer representation: property search, due diligence, negotiation, and closing support, exclusively on your behalf.
Independent review of a specific property, legal, structural, and investment due diligence, so you know exactly what you're buying.
Assisting you in finding the smoothest way to land in Portugal.
Helping you find a suitable rental property between Lisbon and Cascais.
From discovery to closing, every step is designed to protect your interests and ensure a smooth journey - with me as your single point of contact throughout.
We define your goals and lifestyle priorities, ideal areas, deal-breakers, and timeline.
We confirm real purchasing power (and financing options if needed).
I shortlist only the strongest matches, including off-market opportunities, and filter out noise.
On-site or remote, always with honest feedback and context.
Price strategy, risk review, and coordination with specialists.
From CPCV to deed, and the practical steps that follow.
A selection of properties I've helped international buyers secure - from elegant city apartments to coastal family villas, quintas and plots of land.
6 BR Villa in Quinta da Marinha, Cascais
3 BR Duplex in Principe Real, Lisbon
6 BR Quinta in Sesimbra, on a 5,750 m² plot
4 BR Villa in Costa da Guia, Cascais
2 BR Flat with garden in Campo de Ourique, Lisbon
3 BR Penthouse in the centre of Cascais
3 BR Flat in Carcavelos, Cascais
3 BR Townhouse in the historic centre of Cascais
4 BR Villa in Azeitão, Setubal
2 BR House with garden in Pampilheira, Cascais
1 BR Flat in Carvoeira, Mafra
1 BR Flat in Ajuda, Lisboa
2 + 1 BR Flat in São Bento, Lisboa
13,250 m² Plot in Leceia, Oeiras
"Petra was pivotal in our Lisbon home search, helping us navigate an overwhelming market to find the right match. Her M&A lawyer background made her ultra-professional in negotiations, and her trusted advisors ensured a smooth closing."
"Working with Petra was an absolute pleasure. She delivered truly outstanding service from start to finish and made the whole process smooth, fast, and efficient. What really stood out to me was her ability to truly understand her clients and to guide them with clarity, honesty, and empathy."
"Petra supported us to find and buy a house in Quinta da Marinha, Cascais. She is very knowledgeable, trustworthy, responsive, and pleasant to work with. I recommend her without any hesitation."
"Working with Petra was a five-star experience! She genuinely took our needs to heart, every viewing was a real contender, and we felt we had an ally and advocate throughout. Her after-sale support went above and beyond. Simply amazing!"
"Petra made buying our apartment smooth and stress-free. After browsing casually for over a year, we closed within a month of working with her. She gave honest, thoughtful advice and recommended reliable professionals for everything we needed."
"Petra is the kind of professional who truly solves problems for you. I bought a high-end property in Portugal remotely, without visiting in person, and she made me feel like I was there for every viewing, guiding every legal step."
"We were looking for a second home in Portugal with no knowledge of the financial and legal side. Petra gave us reliable guidance and her network of trusted professionals. It took only 10 weeks from first viewing to keys in hand!"
"Searching for a rental in Cascais from abroad, Petra handled everything: viewings, document checks, negotiations, and the lawyer for our contract. Her local insight was crucial, and she found exactly what we were looking for."
"Buying our dream house in Sesimbra was quite a ride, a complicated file with many people involved. Petra never gave up, communicated with everyone who mattered, and stayed perfectly aligned with our needs throughout."
"Thanks to Petra we found our dream house in Cascais. Communication was on point and she was always available for our questions. Outstanding market knowledge, honest, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with!"
"Buying an apartment in Lisbon from abroad is challenging, even for an experienced developer. Petra's video and photo reports let me judge properties remotely. In an overheated market, her help was crucial. Being an investor herself, she knows the market and has a nose for the best opportunities"
"Thanks to Petra we found the house of our dreams. She stands out for her unwavering commitment, extensive knowledge, and genuine enthusiasm, always attentive to our needs and keeping us well informed and reassured throughout."
"I highly recommend Petra for anyone looking for a realtor in Cascais or Lisbon. She went above and beyond helping me navigate expat issues, backed by a network of trusted professionals. Fluent in Portuguese - a big advantage locally."
My core focus is the Cascais, Estoril, and Lisbon coastline, but I support buyers across Greater Lisbon and Portugal's key investment areas through a trusted network of local partners.
Yes. Most of my clients start their search from abroad. I offer video viewings, detailed market analysis, and neighborhood insights, and I coordinate with trusted legal advisors remotely so you can move forward with confidence before you set foot in Portugal.
The first call is strategic. We clarify your investment goals, profile, and expectations, then define a clear action plan for your property search in Portugal.
Most purchases take 1 to 3 months from the first search to signing the deed (Escritura), though the exact timeline depends on your criteria. I manage every stage closely to keep things moving and avoid unnecessary delays.
Yes. Send me any listing you've found and I'll assess whether it's worth viewing based on your search criteria and investment goals. Because I work across the entire market, I have access to both listed and off-market properties, and I share insights during viewings so you can make a well-informed decision.
Yes. I work with a trusted network of real estate lawyers, certified mortgage brokers, surveyors, notaries, architects, and designers, all experienced with foreign buyers. I coordinate everyone involved so your purchase stays seamless and stress-free.
Yes, this is a core part of what I do. I help you define the right investment and rental strategy for your goals, whether long-term rental, short-term income, or capital appreciation, and guide you on locations, expected returns, property types, and local regulations.
In most cases, buyer representation comes at no extra cost to you. Portugal's standard agency fee-sharing model typically covers my fee through the transaction itself. For specialized advisory or standalone services, I agree transparent terms with you upfront.
The seller pays the commission, generally 4–5% of the sale price, whether it's split between the listing and buyer's agent or paid in full to the listing agent. Buyers don't pay agent commission directly, which is why working with a dedicated buyer's agent typically costs nothing extra: the guidance is already built into the price.
It does, but that's not what drives me. My goal is finding the home that fits your criteria, not the highest price tag. Long-term client relationships, referrals, and successful purchases matter more to me than a slightly larger commission on a single deal.
Beyond the purchase price, expect property transfer tax (IMT), notary and registration fees, and legal fees. I provide a detailed cost breakdown once we start working together so you can plan your budget with confidence.
You'll need a Portuguese tax number (NIF), obtainable from the local tax office, and a Portuguese bank account. If you're not a tax resident in Portugal, you can grant power of attorney to a legal representative to handle this on your behalf.
Yes. I take on select listings when sellers want a strategy focused on attracting international buyers, drawing on the same market expertise I offer my buyer clients.