    &lt;p class=&quot;center-small-ss f-&quot;&gt;
        &lt;img src=&quot;/media/15nfka0x/money-matters.png&quot; alt=&quot;&amp;quot; imageAlign=&quot; class=&quot; max-width-100&quot; /&gt;
    &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p data-pm-slice=&quot;1 1 []&quot;&gt;Welcome to Ideal Homes Portugal&#39;s Money Matters Monday—your trusted weekly newsletter exploring the world of international real estate investing.&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;p class=&quot;center-small-ss f-&quot;&gt;
        &lt;img src=&quot;/media/xxpjtiyg/headshot.png&quot; alt=&quot;&amp;quot; imageAlign=&quot; class=&quot; max-width-100&quot; /&gt;
    &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p data-pm-slice=&quot;1 1 []&quot;&gt;This week, &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:sasha@idealhomesportugal.com?subject=MoneyMatters%20-%20Portugal%20Property%20Investment&amp;amp;body=&quot;&gt;Sasha Sharpley&lt;/a&gt;, Senior Real Estate and Investment Advisor at Ideal Homes Portugal, and &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:idealcurrency@idealhomesportugal.com?subject=MoneyMatters%20-%20Portugal%20Property%20Investment&amp;amp;body=&quot;&gt;Claire Wheatley&lt;/a&gt;, Founder and CEO of Moving Currency, dive into the specifics of buying off-plan properties in Portugal. They break down the key considerations, from understanding the buying process to managing currency exchange, helping you make informed decisions as you invest in a property still in the planning or construction stages. Whether you&#39;re new to off-plan buying or looking to expand your portfolio, they’ll guide you every step of the way. Let’s get started…&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 data-pm-slice=&quot;1 1 []&quot;&gt;Advantages of Buying Off-Plan&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&quot;Welcome to another edition of Money Matters! Today, I&#39;m sharing some valuable insights into the Portuguese property market, with a special focus on a specific investment opportunity: buying off-plan properties in the Algarve. Why consider going off-plan? It’s a smart way to secure a great investment while the property is still in the planning or construction stages. With the growing volume and variety of new developments in the region, there’s something to suit most needs. The benefits go beyond lower purchase prices and potential for appreciation. Below, I’ll highlight a few reasons why going off-plan can be a financially savvy decision.&quot; - &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;mailto:sasha@idealhomesportugal.com?subject=MoneyMatters%20-%20Portugal%20Property%20Investment&amp;amp;body=&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Sasha Sharpley&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Why consider buying off-plan?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Lower Purchase Price:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Developers often offer off-plan properties at a discounted price compared to their expected market value upon completion. This means you’re entering the market at a lower cost.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol start=&quot;2&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Capital Growth by Completion:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In Portugal, especially in sought-after areas like the Algarve, the value of off-plan properties tends to increase significantly by the time construction is complete. You could see your investment grow even before you’ve moved in or rented it out.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol start=&quot;3&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Customisable Features:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Many developers allow buyers to choose finishes, layouts, and materials, giving you a semi-custom property that suits your needs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol start=&quot;4&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Staged Payment Plans:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Off-plan purchases often come with staggered payments, spreading your investment over time rather than requiring full payment upfront.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol start=&quot;5&quot;&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Modern Standards:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;New developments are built to meet current standards for energy efficiency and design, which can lead to lower running costs and higher appeal for potential renters or buyers in the future.&#160;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;A Real-Life Example:&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Let’s consider an off-plan property in Ferragudo, Algarve, listed for €470,000. By the time construction is completed in 18–24 months, its market value could increase to €550,000 - €600,000 or more, giving you a potential capital gain of €80,000 - @130,000 without any additional effort.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Featured Property:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We’re excited to showcase a stunning &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.idealhomesportugal.com/property/apartment-in-algarve-idh33444-ferragudo-92196/92196&quot;&gt;off-plan apartment in Ferragudo&lt;/a&gt;, Algarve.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Starting Price: €472,000:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;p class=&quot;center-small-ss f-&quot;&gt;
        &lt;img src=&quot;/media/cxwnu4u3/2fa0c69a-1c8a-c075-3f63-5a6022a38243.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&amp;quot; imageAlign=&quot; class=&quot; max-width-100&quot; /&gt;
    &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot; data-pm-slice=&quot;1 1 []&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Features&lt;/strong&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;One spacious bedroom&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;Prime location in Ferragudo&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;Modern design with high-quality finishes&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;Private terrace and access to shared amenities&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Take a closer look at this fantastic investment opportunity here:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener&quot; tabindex=&quot;-1&quot; href=&quot;https://www.idealhomesportugal.com/property/apartment-in-algarve-idh33444-ferragudo-92196/92196&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;View Property Details&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;T&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;he Algarve Advantage:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;With its stunning coastline, year-round sunny weather, and increasing demand from international buyers, the Algarve is a prime location for off-plan investments. Whether you’re looking for a holiday home, rental property, or long-term investment, buying off-plan offers an excellent opportunity to maximise value.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Let’s Talk Opportunities:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;“If you’re curious about off-plan developments currently available in the Algarve, we’d love to guide you through the options. Many projects are selling fast, so now is the perfect time to explore what’s on offer. Feel free to reach out with any questions or to arrange a consultation. I look forward to helping you make your next smart investment!” - &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a rel=&quot;noopener&quot; tabindex=&quot;-1&quot; href=&quot;mailto:sasha@idealhomesportugal.com?subject=MoneyMatters%20-%20Portugal%20Property%20Investment&amp;amp;body=&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Sasha&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h1 data-pm-slice=&quot;1 1 []&quot;&gt;First Movers Club!&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Let’s Talk Opportunities&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot; data-pm-slice=&quot;1 1 []&quot;&gt;Looking to maximise capital appreciation with early access to real estate opportunities? We’re launching &lt;strong&gt;MoneyMatters – FirstMovers Club&lt;/strong&gt; your exclusive gateway to off-plan developments and high-potential projects in the Algarve, Portugal, and beyond.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;As a member, you’ll gain &lt;strong&gt;insider access&lt;/strong&gt; to our wide network of real estate developers, banking partners, mortgage and insurance providers, and more. You’ll also benefit from &lt;strong&gt;early updates&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;priority access&lt;/strong&gt;, and &lt;strong&gt;exclusive insights&lt;/strong&gt; into high-potential real estate opportunities to stay ahead of the market and capitalise on the benefits of early-stage investment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class=&quot;mcePastedContent&quot;&gt;We’re currently accepting registrations before launching the club as a paid membership, offering even greater benefits. &lt;strong&gt;Register at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:firstmovers@idealhomesportugal.com&quot;&gt;firstmovers@idealhomesportugal.com&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;/strong&gt;and be among the first to position yourself for success or contact us to learn more, and schedule a private consultation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
    &lt;p class=&quot;center-small-ss f-&quot;&gt;
        &lt;img src=&quot;/media/lkzf413n/3b1d3672-a304-8ff4-fd17-f20c7c848f8c.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&amp;quot; imageAlign=&quot; class=&quot; max-width-100&quot; /&gt;
    &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3 data-pm-slice=&quot;1 1 []&quot;&gt;Currency Exchange for Off-Plan Purchases:&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“When buying off-plan properties, understanding your currency exchange options is crucial. There are options available that can help mitigate the risks of fluctuations and give you control over timing. Two key methods to manage your payments are spot contracts and forward contracts, each designed to suit different needs. Let’s take a closer look at how they work:” - &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;mailto:idealcurrency@idealhomesportugal.com?subject=MoneyMatters%20-%20Portugal%20Property%20Investment&amp;amp;body=&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Claire Wheatley&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Spot Contracts:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A spot contract allows you to exchange your funds immediately at the current exchange rate. This is ideal for one-off payments, such as an initial deposit or final balance, when you need the funds transferred quickly.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Forward Contracts:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A forward contract lets you lock in an exchange rate for payments to be made in the future. By forward buying, you can secure the exchange rate for all these payments at the time of your initial agreement. This means you can avoid exchange rate fluctuations and know the exact cost of your property in your home currency. Forward contracts are especially useful for off-plan purchases with multiple payments over time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Forward Contracts Could Be Worth Considering:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stability in a Changing Market:&lt;/strong&gt; Exchange rates can fluctuate over time. Forward buying allows you to secure a rate upfront, protecting you from future increases in costs.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Budget Confidence:&lt;/strong&gt; Knowing the exact cost of your payments in your home currency helps with financial planning.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Protecting Your Investment Goals:&lt;/strong&gt; Fixed exchange rates ensure you’re not caught off guard by unfavourable changes that could impact your overall costs.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A Quick Example:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Let’s say you’re purchasing that stunning off-plan apartment in Ferragudo mentioned earlier for €470,000. If the exchange rate moved by just 5%, the cost of your property in USD could change significantly. For example:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;At an exchange rate of 1.05, €470,000 would cost $493,500.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If the rate shifts to 1.10, the same property would cost $517,000 - a difference of $23,500.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;By using a forward contract, you could lock in the rate at 1.05, ensuring your payments won’t increase unexpectedly during the construction period.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“At Moving Currency, we help clients navigate both spot and forward-buying options to suit their needs. Whether you’re making a single payment or planning for future instalments, we make the process simple and stress-free. Have questions about how these options work? We’re here to help. Reach out to learn more about how we can support you in your off-plan property journey.” - &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;mailto:idealcurrency@idealhomesportugal.com?subject=MoneyMatters%20-%20Portugal%20Property%20Investment&amp;amp;body=&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Claire&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Moving Currency Difference&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;At Moving Currency we don’t just handle your transactions—we guide you through every step. Our goal is to make currency exchange simple, transparent, and stress-free.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Did You Know?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;Some banks charge up to 5% in hidden fees for international transfers. With Moving Currency, you could save thousands by avoiding these charges.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ready to Simplify Your Currency Exchange?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;We’re here to answer your questions and help you every step of the way. Click below to talk to us or open your account.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-pm-slice=&quot;1 1 []&quot;&gt;Stay tuned for expert interviews, global property trends, and success stories to guide your investments with confidence. Have questions, topic suggestions, or need help with your property search? Contact us at: idealcurrency@idealhomesportugal.com&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-pm-slice=&quot;1 1 []&quot;&gt;Reach out anytime. Until next Monday!&lt;/p&gt;

Money Matters Monday: Buying Off-Plan

Welcome to Ideal Homes Portugal's Money Matters Monday—your trusted weekly newsletter exploring the world of international real estate investing. This week