FINALLY We Bought a Property on the Island of Madeira, Portugal

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! Finally! We have a home we can call our own. We would like to invite yo to join our It'll Be Fun Patreon Crew. Just go to www.patreon.com/itllbefun Thanks for being here we truly appreciate your support.

[@alexgray1905]

This is so common in Portugal, and it's almost exactly our experience, down to the clown seller who asked for 20% more just before the closing. Since January, when we arrived in Portugal, we have been trying to buy a property-no mortgage, ready to pay-and we are now trying to sign the CPCV on the 4th property we are considering. Ten months have passed, residential property purchases have been eliminated, NHR will terminate on December 31, and the Portuguese owners and amatore-developers are still dreaming of getting rich overnight from foreigners in a market ready to burst. The best thing we did was to retain an attorney as soon as we started the process. Attempting to buy a property in Portugal without your own attorney is a dangerous gamble. I am a retired architect, and I can only imagine the issues to be encountered when dealing with trades and contractors when they know that you are a captive "client"... from away. I wish you the best of luck.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. You have some good points. Yes, we were able to purchase the best option for our needs. Obrigado Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@frankmelo2191]

Purchased property in March of 2022 and had a pleasant experience, not headaches, paper work went well.

[@antoniodasilva1230]

My brother bought two houses one is apartment the other is getting rebuilt my sister bought two houses and they both had no problems and they still are living in the Hamptons New York it was a straight forward thing just like buying back home in the USA if anything they found the whole process way easier than when they bought their homes on long Island and yup also bought multiple properties on LI😂😂😂😂

[@ItllBeFun]

We had no issues once we found the correct place for us.

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola antoniodasilva, Thanks for sharing we are glad that the purchases worked out well. Have a wonderful day!

[@johnjanota7724]

i absolutely adore people who have the chutzpah to pick up everything and drift with the wind. bravo!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Not a very common thing to do, for sure! We're making it up as we go. Thanks again Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@joannenardoni17]

Thanks!

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola Joannenardoni Thanks for the Super thanks! We truly appreciate your support. Have a wonderful day Alan

[@cbenson513]

Patience and perseverance get it done! I hope you, Leslie, Wolf, and Greer have many happy years in your new home!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks Chris for your support. Our new home will be awesome! Alan,Leslie and Wolf

[@marlathetraveler]

Your voice is very calming. I love the way you tell your story. I am subscribing. Very informative video.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thank you very much. Your support means the world to us. Have a wonderful day!

[@itsthegoodstuff]

Great news. Good luck with the work fixing it up.

[@bluredwhitesishkebab]

Congratulations ! Glad to hear that you made this step.The blue tiles with tea cups will come back again into fashion soon 😉

[@ItllBeFun]

Ha, ha! Yes, soon... very soon...

[@ruinunes8251]

When we bought our apartment in UK, were had the little chicken tiles in the kitchen. For those of you who are British, you might know what I'm talking about. 😁

[@isabeloliveira2165]

I'm from Madeira from Santa Cruz where my mother still lives road that goes up to Santo da Serra road up airport . I live many years in UK from 1999 until 2018/19 and I did return back to Portugal where after many trying to find a house I bought one in Sintra centre. And I'm very happy for you that manage to buy a house in Madeira enjoy the new house and the island . Best wishes and all the best .🥰🥰 Bem vindo a Santa Cruz

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. And for watching and supporting our channel. It's a nice place. Alan,Leslie and Wolf

[@lauras8674]

Congratulations!! I can't wait to see the property's transformation! You are all a true inspiration 🎉

[@ItllBeFun]

Thank you so much!! We appreciate you coming along with us on our journey. Obrigado, Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@cookmaster3626]

Congratulations!!!. We wish you Good Luck with getting the units completed in time to your desires and finally a place to call it Your Home.

[@ItllBeFun]

It will happen, and be awesome. And home. Thanks for your continued support. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@mscatnipper2359]

I'm so happy you have secured a home to call your own, and also secure a steady mortgage expense instead of paying ever increasing rent. Congratulations!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. It was an cash auction ,so no mortgage. Even better! Thanks again Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@artiranmor]

I and my wife Anna follow Your journey since a longer time and are grateful for your shared experiences. We wish You the best for Your flat and for Your ongoing adventures.

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola artianmor Thank you for watching and supporting us during our journey. We appreciate it. Thank you for the well wishes. Have a fantastic day, Alan

[@birdynumnum3473]

Live long and prosper, as a famous star-traveling Vulcan once said. Many congratulations to you and your family as you have more than earned it.

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia birdynumnum Nice to gear from you. Sometimes we think we should go faster but we do not have it. Yes, it is colorful right now. Fingers crossed they will work out a good solution for everyone. Thanks for your support. Have a wonderful day Alan

[@Zzues]

Congratulations! My wife and I finally made the move to Portugal! We are finalizing our visa with AIMA soon and plan to visit Madeira for the first time, too. We are so excited to be here.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. And congratulations to you, too! Thanks Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@paulocorreia7942]

Welcome to Portugal. Have fun!!!

[@ItllBeFun]

Obrigado

[@davetripping]

Congratulations, Alan and Leslie! What a journey you've been on. Every one of your videos I watch, I'm more anxious to begin my own journey! Thank you for sharing!! Tchau!

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia David Muito Obrigado. We appreciate your support. The journey has truly been a lot of fun. Some parts more difficult than others but we have learned so much along the way. Have a wonderful day Alan

[@Alfablue227]

Allen, Leslie, Wolfie, congratulations in this exciting purchase. Getting better and better. So happy for you😃👏

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for your kind words, and for the continued support of our channel! We have a home!! Alan,Leslie and Wolf

[@chrismedeiros3201]

Parabéns You Guys! I admire your patience and diligence. That is going to be a fantastic home, even though you're opting to forgo the teacup tiles. 😂 Looking forward to seeing the exciting adventure ahead as the house is transformed into your home.

[@alisongalloway1455]

What a great vlog. I wish I had your patience when it came realestate. I tended to pull out all of the strings and sometimes my efforts haven't been rewarded. I will look forward to watching how you get along. Nothing wrong with the kitchen. I am sure it will work well. You can always paint over the teacups with tile paint.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. We will have updated videos on our new place as we go. Thanks again Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@FelizPete]

Wow congratulations guys, we are very happy for you :) I remember meeting Claudia she was very helpful unfortunately we could not find anything in our budget during our stay in Madeira. Cannot wait to see the progress of your renovation.

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola felizpete Thank you! Yes it toolmus a while. But it all worked out in the end. Have a wonderful day Alan

[@fribasekander8088]

Congratulations goes to you, Leslie and Wolf. Hard work and patience goes long ways. Again, congratulations!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for your kind words. And thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@MirandaHorger]

Wow! What a rollercoaster ride! So glad you've found your place and are working to make it your own. Congratulations!

[@ItllBeFun]

Yes, we are celebrating. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@duarteviveiros9126]

Congratulations, welcome to our beautiful island. Hope your new journey, now that you have your property on the island will be no on even more happy!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. And for your well wishes. We are glad to have a wonderful place to call our own.

[@kathleenmathews6096]

Congratulations! This part of your adventure will have a beautiful ending: a place to call home! By the way, I believe tiles can be painted if those blue teacups are not working- we also had a friend cover her tiles with peel and stick ones.

[@ItllBeFun]

It's all part of the fun! Blue teacups included!! Thanks for watching and supporting our channel.

[@freedomzvision]

You are both amazing ! So positive and patient. Thank you for sharing your journey. Good luck.

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola freedonzvision Thanks! We are having such a good time sharing our journey. We appreciate your support it means a lot to us. Have a wonderful day Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@jolly7728]

Wow! A very captivating video. Enjoyed the way you narrated the story with the ups and downs of living life as it unfolds. Really helpful for those of us dreaming about doing something similar. The video footage was breadth taking!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. We appreciate it. Good luck on your journey. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@almarcano6964]

Congratulations you guys!!! What wonderful and exciting news on long journey. Dea and I can't wait to hear more about your new home on Monday at Hoya Hoya!! Congrats again, Al&Dea Marcano

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for the continued support of our channel. See you very soon! Alan,Leslie and Wolf

[@charlesgrady5750]

Thanks to your videos I am on a scouting trip in the Algarve right now. It is amazing and life is short!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Good luck on your journey. Alan,Leslie and Wolf

[@carolchisholm433]

Congratulations! Very excited for your family. I was on Madeira at the end of October for a week and now can understand why you love it so much ❤️

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia Carol Muito Obrigado. Thanks you for sharing our journey. Look us up the next time you are here. Have a wonderful day Alan

[@steveh5005]

Lived and worked on the Island 2005/06. I remember the famous tethered balloon on Funchal sea front. I looked at property back then. All seemed well constructed. You appear to have bought a 20 year old resale. Or bank repossession. Normal a new old property as you mentioned time warp 20 years old. About the time I was there! Good luck. It's a beautiful island

[@ItllBeFun]

We feel good about our purchase, and look forward to moving in. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@rcoleman171]

Alan, great news! Congrats on your new home, and best of luck as you make it your own!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. And for your kind words. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@ElsaSimaan]

Congratulations! I hope the rest of the remodeling will go well. Not sure how the stairwell is going to be properly done. Should be interesting. My husband Sam and I are handling the paperwork in order to retire to Portugal in the Summer of 2024. However, we are in a major limbo as to what to do since it appears the NHR may no longer be available. I cannot see us paying that much in taxes in addition to what we are paying in the USA. I will be officially retired in June and hoping to be in Portugal in July. Otherwise, we may have to look into Italy, Spain or Greece. However, I do love Portugal. Sam and I have enjoyed so much watching your videos the last two years. Congrats again to you and your family.

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola Guys, Thank you for your support. There are some options, understanding the USA tax law and deductions that you may qualify for. We reccomend that you contact a US EXPAT tax attorney as well as a Portuguese one. We highly recommend our Portuguese tax attorney and you can set up a video call now. That way you can start understanding how you may or may not be able to get your funds in line and still move to Portugal. Her contact is listed on our vendor listing which is available on our Patreon www.patreon.com/itllbefun as well as on our website www.itllbefunretirement.com We have a free video live stream about Buying and Renting Real Estate on the 16th and a free video live stream on the 20th about Planning Your Move Overseas. Both are at 7pm Madeira island time with all details listed in our Patreon. Link for the 16th click here meet.google.com/gfz-ahty-rpi Link for the 20th click here meet.google.com/cdq-ijdp-avt We hope you will join us. Have a wonderful day, Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@JJMA52]

congrats and best wishes! You all are so well researched and clear in thought so i am sure you will have a great success in your new project. May you all be happy and healthy in your new home for many years to come

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, and for watching and supporting our channel! We appreciate it. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@jotakanim]

Portugal is amazing. People are amazing. They are very nice.

[@ItllBeFun]

It is and they are. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@mikefreitas1331]

Great purchase Guys. !00 meters away from one of the best beaches on Madeira... And 100 meters away from the airport. Great find and i hope the remo goes as planned. Soon you'll be living in your own space confortably. Waiting for the open day tour/video... 😀

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks Mike for watching and supporting our channel. We think it is an amazing little town. We will keep making videos to show the progress. Thanks again Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@doraioja7798]

🎉 enjoy your new abode for many many years to come! (Interested to see the place after you move in) Certainly you had quite a journey to get to this place and inspiring to see how well you approached all the hurdles. All the best!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. We can hardly wait to see what it is to become. We will be very happy. Thanks again Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@kowalski7161]

Congrats! Very happy for you guys. I never get tired of that electric guitar paired to those amazing views :)

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola Kowalski Thanks!!!! And Scott loves you!

[@peterlewis7228]

The kitchen you showed in the apartment was not dated. It looked plain and simple and useful and new. Could not have been better.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. We appreciate it. Alan,Leslie and Wolf

[@max76496]

I really like your story-telling!

[@ItllBeFun]

Muito Obrigado!

[@BitcoinsBestFriend]

Congratulations Allan, Leslie, and Wolf from Alex and Sheila in Canada! We're very happy for you. It looks fantastic!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks! And thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@Sigridovskij]

Nice blue teacup tiles. Colors, vintage and country style is the best. I would get lead free tiles or keep the ones with teacups.

[@ItllBeFun]

Obrigado! You are right. I didn't even know you could still get tiles with lead in them.

[@Sigridovskij]

@@ItllBeFun Did you keep them then? You can not find tiles with tea cups on them any more. They are getting more and more boring, grey, beige and white, and boring patterns, the same everywhere, with very little colors. No artistry - no tea cups.

[@ItllBeFun]

No we had the kitchen remodeled.

[@Sigridovskij]

@@ItllBeFun That was a pity. I would have liked to see the teacup tiles. Do you regret you took them out?

[@ItllBeFun]

Not at all the new kitchen is well designed and fantastic.

[@alexanderrappe1589]

I recognize your new location. Welcome to the East Coast. Wow the home purchasing process seems to be so different here than in America. Much more uncertainty it seems. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Very exciting! I trust this will be a wonderful home for your family. While the real estate process is different here, I'd imagine your experienced in real estate has prepared you well for recognizing when a property "was just not meant to be." It is so easy to get emotionally wrapped up in the possibilities of a place before the keys have been handed over. I appreciate your optimism and patience through the process.

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola Alexander It is easy to get wrapped up as you know. However it is freeing to understand it is a house until you make it a home and we can make a home anyway. Life is short! Enjoy the journey. Have a wonderful day, Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@silviovieira8629]

Parabéns, sejam felizes em Sta. Cruz...Terra Verde!!

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! Muito Obrigado!

[@Kenny-bj2zq]

Dang, definitely not going to give those Cali prices I am figuring on just renting long term - Congrats on your new home away form home I know things will even get better now that you have your new nest

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Pleased to have found the best option for us.

[@rogeriodossantos7806]

Congratulations Al and co.

[@ItllBeFun]

Obrigado! Thanks for the continued support of our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@WACATX767882]

Lived at Lajes Field on Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal. Loved it there. No one wanted to go there but once there no one wanted to leave. The Portuguese people are great!!! Also visited San Miguel Island in the Azores and Lisbon twice. Could see myself living in the Azores or Portugal. Have never made it to Madeira however.

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia WACATX767882 Sounds like you have wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing. If you ever get the chance Madeira will not disappoint. Have a wonderful day Alan

[@thepeacefulpack]

We had a similar strange situation in our process of buying in Portugal...we offered full asking price, told to wait a week before response and then counter offered with a 30,000 euro increase. I was shocked and of course said no thank you. In the end the whole situation worked out perfectly because the agent had a listing that was about to go on the market and we ended up buying that one. Happy to have found your channel. We're now in the process of buying a vacation property in Spain. :)

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. And for watching and supporting our channel. Alan,Leslie and Wolf

[@karadizon4299]

We love Madeira. People are super courteous and friendly. The atmosphere is quite the opposite from the states and people were not hustling and bustling

[@ItllBeFun]

We completely agree with you. It is truly wonderful here.

[@amritsingh5054]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful journey Sir Many Blessings to you and yr family

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia amritsingh Muito Obrigado. We appreciate your support. Have a wonderful day, Alan

[@harrychen4682]

congratulations! will wait for more information about the property.

[@ItllBeFun]

You got it! More coming soon. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel.

[@Inmyforces]

Congrats! It sounds like there is still a long way to go to get to the finish line but thank you for sharing. I will be watching with great interest.

[@ItllBeFun]

It's going to be awesome, in time. We will keep you up to date as we go. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel.

[@cybilm133]

Yes, its very difficult to find something affordable that is not moldy or a ruin. I am closing in a few weeks on my condo in Canico. Am very excited.

[@ItllBeFun]

It is exciting, indeed. We are very happy. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@BrockMcLellan]

Congratulations at buying your new home! It isn't always easy adjusting to new environments. People don't always act as you expect them to, as your attempts to buy property show. The most important attribute in such a situation is not determination, but patience. I think you were correct to walk away from the uncomfortable property purchase situations you described. Unfortunately, greed is everywhere. It takes time to mentally adjust to living in a new country. As I have said before, we moved from Canada to Norway in 1980. As foreigners, some practices seem strange at first, but after a few years one learns to accept, and then to adapt. From my perspective, the first mistake many immigrants make is an unwillingness to accept that rules and circumstances are different. They are offended to learn that, as foreigners, they may not be eligible for the same benefits granted to citizens. It took us years to save up enough to afford a down payment. We lived in three different places in Norway. Five years in one location, three in another almost 1 000 km further north. Then we moved about 600 km south, to where we live now, which is almost 400 km north of our first location. We have only owned one house. We rented a smaller cabin beside this house at first, when I celebrated my 40th birthday, in 1988. Then, six months later we rented this larger house. A year after that the owner died, and we bought it from his estate some months after that. The house was built in 1963. When built the maximum allowed house size was 100 square meters, on the main floor. Ours was 90. When rules relaxed, a new owner added an extra 15 square meters. Mortgage interest rates at the beginning of the 1990s were almost 15%. It was expedient for us to pay off our mortgage as quickly as possible. It took us five years, and in that time we paid almost as much in interest as we did on the principal. After that, whenever something needed to be done, we would save up first. I have done most of the construction work myself, not just to save money, but because I enjoy building construction. The latest change has been the kitchen. For the first time in our lives, and at 75 years of age, we have modern appliances, including an induction cooktop and a dishwasher. Yet, what I appreciate most about the remodelled kitchen is its brightness, especially the yellow linoleum flooring. This is important because in winter, we can have over 20 hours of darkness. I have visited Portugal four times, including two work related trips. We discussed moving to Madeira, when we retired at the end of 2016 (just after I turned 68). We realized on this first trip as retirees, in 2017, that we would not be able to adjust to another completely different system. It took us years to accept how things worked in Norway. We decided that it was more comfortable, emotionally, to put up with the winter cold and darkness, than to adjust to something different.

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola Brock, We love your the stories about your life and experiences. Thank you for sharing. Aren't we glad that mortgage rates haven't gone back to 15%. The young people all over the world are already terrified of 6&7% rates. We are glad they don't have to tell stories about their first mortgage rate being 15%. The remodeled kitchen sounds great! It can sometimes be different in a new country but to your point it is best to understand that different does not mean bad. Have a wonderful day, Alan and Leslie

[@morgan97475]

Congratulations on your new place!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks, and thanks for watching and supporting our channel

[@gilliantracy7991]

Congrats!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks!!!

[@thebuddhaheartsutra]

I admire your Zen-like attitude, always choosing to move on when realising some properties are simply not meant to be. Congrats on finally finding your dream home. I reckon it is in Santa Cruz from the clip?

[@ItllBeFun]

Exactly! If it's meant to be, it will. We will be very happy in Santa Cruz. Obrigado Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@Track_Us_Down]

Congratulations on your new home! Wishing you all and your channel a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Track Us Down! 🎄

[@ItllBeFun]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Wishing you all the best in the new year. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@ManuelSobral-vb3oi]

Congratulations on your new home. It 'll be a New Adventure so that you'll became resident Madeirenses !

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. We can't wait to be home. Thanks again Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@LTRaider]

YAY!! 🙌🙌🙌 Congratulations to you all!!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Finally found the place!

[@imianco8079]

hi i am watching in milwaukee! excited to see your journey!! thank you for the beautiful documentation of your experiences

[@ItllBeFun]

Hello Wisconsin! Hope you are staying warm up there. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@John_McFadden]

Hi Alan, Leslie, and Wolf! Your experiences in this video clearly show that it isn't always smooth sailing when looking for a property in Madeira. The obstacles you faced were unpredictable and frustrating but your perseverance finally paid off. It's great to see that you hunt for a home on Madeira is finally over. We wish you all years of good heath and happiness in your new home! Cheers!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks John for your continued support. Our search for a place to call home has been very busy indeed. So many options, and sometimes disappointment. But the journey has been rewarding, and we've discovered many different places in the process. And we will share the transformation of our new home as it unfolds. Thanks again Alan,Leslie and Wolf

[@radosval]

We had very similar experiences in Croatia, including giving an offer and receiving a counter offer at 25% above asking. We declined and moved on. That was 2 years ago and the property has not sold to this day.

[@ItllBeFun]

Yeah, don't know what they were thinking. Oh well, we found the right one. Obrigado Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@EvelinHolmes]

Wish that so many Americans and Canadian would have walked away from houses that where way to expensive for them and know stuck in a night mare . You where mend to find your dream even if it was a long journey . Happy for you.

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola Evelin, Yes we are happy we waited until the right thing came along.

[@lifedeathwest]

Congratulations on your lovely new home, Alan, Leslie, and Wolf! I think you made a wise decision to purchase a 20-year-old apartment that needs finishing as opposed to a total fixer upper. Everything is looking up for you all as you have another 8 years to go of NHR tax breaks. The one thing I was wondering is what will Wolf do once he turns 26 years old? Will he have to return to the U.S. or will he assume control of It'll Be Fun, LLC and apply for a D8 visa for himself?

[@ItllBeFun]

That certainly is an option for Wolf, and one we are considering. Thanks for your kind words. And thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan

[@antoniodasilva1230]

Congratulations

[@ItllBeFun]

Obrigado

[@andrewthacker114]

Thanks for sharing

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel

[@agustinsapad7575]

Thank you so much for this video Sir!!!!!... ❤

[@ItllBeFun]

Most welcome! Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@fabianoportugal5098]

Bom dia! Happy for you guys! Hope the construction goes well! We will be closing on our town house in Água de Pena next week! Thanks for all the great info and hope to meet again soon!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for the continued support of our channel. We'll keep updating as we go along with the process. Thanks again Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@LyndaJones-c3g]

9:40 Great News, very happy for you all. Will watch with interest your forthcoming improvements. Will be in Madeira in 4 weeks. God bless, take care. Lyndax

[@ItllBeFun]

Hope to see you on the island!

[@desertdweller8520]

Well, you did it! In 2021, we could have purchased a two bedroom (or 3 bedroom) apartment in Funchal for a modest but decent budget. That ship has sailed. So happy for you and I know the renovations will go well.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thank you! We hope they look as wonderful as yours when completed.

[@charismao5515]

Congrats!!!! 🎉🎊🍾🎈

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel! Alan,Leslie and Wolf

[@dawnpyrah5833]

Congratulations!!🎉

[@ItllBeFun]

Muito Obrigado!!!!!!

[@friscoeddie3223]

Question - “You should have gotten a mortgage while you were still in the US.” On a foreign property with a U.S. mortgage? Or a Portuguese mortgage? I was always under the impression that you couldn’t get a US mortgage for a foreign property. In Ecuador, where I live, the local mortgage rates are solid double digits. And if you’re talking a Portuguese mortgage, what are their rates? Nice video. Thanks.

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia Friscoeddie Good question. It would have had to be a vacation house mortgage done in Portugal. The rates would be alittle higher than a primary property mortgage. But worth it for our situation. The rates are currently high but always better than the USA. Thanks for sharing our journey with us. Alan

[@Boophall]

Congratulations 🎉

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks Betty! Come visit sometime!!

[@ceciliagalveias]

Congratulations 🎉 What a journey you've been on. My husband and I were both born in Portugal but our families moved to Canada when we were very young. We've recently gotten our paperwork in order (Portuguese passports, BI's and Nif's) in order to apply for a mortgage and purchase a property. We had thought to get in touch with agents and attempt to purchase a property while on our 4 week vacation. We're setting ourselves up for early retirement in 10 years. Watching your journey has certainly been a reality check 😢 We won't give up so easily though. Can you share the contact info for your agent if you don’t mind.

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola Cecilia, Congrats! We would love to have you work with one of our trusted Real estate agents. They do a great job. The company can easily help on the mainland as well. Contact Claudia Ribeiro at email [e-mail] she will set up a video call to get you started and allow to to ask questions. They also can help with the mortgage as well. We have two different upcoming video meetups next week the first one is about buying and renting real estate in Portugal it is on the 16th and the second one is about planning your move overseas on the 20th. Full details and links to join us are listed in our Patreon www.patreon.com/itllbefun Both are at 7pm Madeira island time with all details listed in our Patreon. Link for the 16th click here meet.google.com/gfz-ahty-rpi Link for the 20th click here meet.google.com/cdq-ijdp-avt We truly hope you will join us. Have a wonderful day Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@ournewlifeonmadeira]

Its a loooooong way to find what you want... but in the end the way does not matter anymore :)... Greetings from Santana

[@ItllBeFun]

It's been a journey, but fun. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@lostcausel3929]

How would one go about obtaining a mortgage before leaving the US in Portugal? I would like to get something that isn't expensive but only needs cosmetic work. It seems like its hard to find contractors to do the work. Is that true?

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia lostcausel Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. You would have to get a mortgage for a vacation house. It would be done here in Portugal, Claudia's team can help you get started to see if it is something you would like. The rates would be a little higher but for us that would have worked out fine. Claudia's email Claudia Ribeiro As for contractors. We have a good one. We think. Once we have completed our renovation we will let everyone know how it went. Hope this helps. Have a wonderful day, Alan

[@gee3883]

Good luck. What was your budget if you don't mind saying?

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola! We didn't say. It is a very cost effective location. In the 100's.

[@allisonsmith2202]

Parabéns!

[@ItllBeFun]

Obrigado! Thanks for watching and supporting our channel.

[@1971V12]

Congratulations 👏

[@ItllBeFun]

Thank you!

[@robjus1601]

Very interesting guys.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan

[@rayac6238]

Jost got back from the beautiful island.. so beautiful, I‘ll def. come back. What part of island did you find your new home and for what price would be interesting to know… thnx and all the best for the renovations 🙌🏽

[@ItllBeFun]

We chose Santa Cruz. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. More to come on the reno. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@rayac6238]

@@ItllBeFun nice, we had our stay in Canico and the east has def. some beautiful areas too 🙌🏽

[@dmitrijsahno]

Hello, we are also want to start a journej on buying a property in Portugal probably Madeira island. I would really appreciate and be grateful if you could share some information regarding on buying an appartment. What are current prices ? Is it possible to get a mortgage for a eu citizen? How much own money do we need to even start the procedure? What to avoid ?

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! We have multiple videos covering these subjects I will link a few. We also invite you to join our Patreon monthly meet up group this is where we talk about these things as a group. www.patreon.com/itllbefun Or set up a one to one call. Video links: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZa4gnitpNNsaKMsi=NjaBQxxWubilQyLx kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6urqYFojZ2Wbqssi=B33Y2sPW7NzgfPc- kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJyzoaGde7d5edEsi=eYOg9yLLnP0oKmRC This is the best kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3LTf5qjeKirmLMsi=v7-Evq11N7GHpeKt

[@greathome-m1k]

congrats!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@PA96704]

Nice, so usa citizenship can buy real estate in Madeira? Can you explain this process or direct me to the info. Thank you Pat

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! Yes, a foreigner can buy property in Portugal. You need to have a NIF and A Portuguese bank account. To get thoose you can contact Bordr. Here is our affiliate link bordr.com/portugal/nif?via=itllbefun Also our real estate agent is Claudia Ribeiro email Claudia Ribeiro We put these contacts in the description of all of our videos. If you use one of our trusted vendors please let them know we sent you. Have a wonderful day, Alan

[@MR0000]

Santa Cruz, good place, nice beach, near the airport and via rápida. Not to far from Funchal. Glad to see that You are staying in Portugal. I was already thinking that you were moving to Greece or Italy 😂

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola MR0000 Thanks. We are glad we get to stay as well. We were worried we would not find anything in our price range. Thanks for your support. Have a wonderful day, Alan

[@mondarinvino107]

Alan: curious to understand: do you maintain Medicare coverage for health insurance?

[@ItllBeFun]

Just the free part "A". Thanks for watching and supporting our channel Alan

[@steven_dekok]

Congratulations you guys! It sure must be an interesting journey being a US realtor and watching how it is done in another country. I'm a broker here in the US and I am navigating the real estate market in Romania. I can either let it frustrate me or I can simply relax and enjoy the new experience. I have chosen to have fun with it!!

[@ItllBeFun]

That's the best way! Thanks for watching and supporting our channel Alan

[@gideongouvs5559]

Look how CLEAN the country is ---- europeans does have pride

[@ItllBeFun]

The island is amazingly clean.

[@SeaTranquility]

E que belo sítio para comprar casa! 😁

[@ItllBeFun]

Muito obrigado Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan, Leslie and Wolf

[@LiMuBai]

Great video! Congratulations, my main concern in Madeira would be the difficult airplane landings that Madeira is famous for. How was your experience landing in Madeira?

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola LIMUBAI Thank you! We always here about people saying the landings are difficult. We have never had an issue and love the views when the plane comes in. It is all part of the adventure! Thanks for watching. Have a wonderful day, Alan

[@courtcomposer]

Alan that's great!! 🎉

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. We appreciate it. Alan

[@courtcomposer]

@@ItllBeFun I will be arriving on Madeira on Wednesday. I wonder if we could meet for lunch. Do not worry, I will not try to extract free info from you, just chat about life in general. I plan to finalize the trip tonight. Once all goes through I will give you a heads up. Planning to be in Funchal Wed and Thursday. Then two more days to drive around Madeira. Let me know.

[@ItllBeFun]

Sorry. We will be out of town.

[@mmamommamo6152]

Hi. But what is the price? This is the most important question.

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola mmamommamo For our condo we have not shared the cost. Once renovations are completed we will let you know how everything worked out.

[@didivoicu6984]

Hello! We are European citizens and for us will be a little bit easier with formalities. Just for our curiosity, what was your budget? We have something around 100k €. Thank you!

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola didivoicu6984 Our budget was 150. Thanks for your support. Have a wonderful day!

[@sunu84]

Welcome 🤗

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel!

[@dovoso5685]

Hi , thank you for sharing and congratulation for your new home. I am new to your channel so I have a question - How is the cost of living there compared with your life in the US , and why did you chose this island and not a Greece one ?

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola dovoso, Great questions. Here is the 'why' video. We chose Portugal long before we looked at Greece but before we purchased we went to Greece in case we wanted to change our minds. We also think it is worth looking at the South of France. Have a wonderful day Alan

[@dovoso5685]

@@ItllBeFun Hi Alan, Thank you , those 3 places sound great , very smart thinking. Enjoy your new home.

[@mil640]

How much would cost a 3 bedroom house in protugal?

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! We are glad you are here. Your question is difficult to answer. The style, condition, size and area a 3 bedroom house will be very different based upon your needs. Here in Madeira in a neighborhood you may find a 3 bedroom for 450k and another right door for 2m. Sorry. But if you contact Claudia our real estate agent [phone] she can help you with finding something for you. Hope this helps. Alan

[@moneysavinggirl]

Congratulations 🎉 your story sounds like our story...always too late even if the property just appears on idealista or other sites... buying property in Madeira proves quite frustrating 😢 Suprised to aee many people had a smooth experience as no matter what we di it dowsnt work as our budget is not bad...we must be picking wronf properties....

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá moneysavinggirl We understand your pain. We really do believe that the ones we didn't get were not going to work out for us anyway. Depending on the price level you are shopping in, it get be even more difficult. A lower price range means they are not only more regular folks looking for a property but investors with plenty of cash to work with.

[@Mongoose-ct6us]

Always heard good things about Madeira Island. Is a car necessary or is there good public transportation for tourists who prefer to not drive? Obrigado in advance

[@ItllBeFun]

We have several friends who only use public transportation. I love to drive, and must have a car. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Alan

[@JenShea]

Parabéns 🍾

[@ItllBeFun]

Obrigado! Thanks for watching and supporting our channel

[@nathalienurse3336]

So happy for the both of you. CONGRATULATIONS let the games begin. Can’t wait to see your place when it’s all done. BTW how is your progression with Portuguese coming along? All the best and Happy Thanksgiving……🤗🇨🇦

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel . And for your kind words. Our new place will be awesome! We need to buckle down and do better with Portuguese lessons. Alan,Leslie and Wolf

[@garykraun8950]

Might you or anyone reading this know if I will lose my SSDI if I move to Portugal? SS site appears to say no. Others say absolutely. My SSDI amount will be reduced to what I would get on SS

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! You may want to schedule a call at the SS office to ask. We know someone who hasn't. But do not know why. It would be best if you spoke with the SS office.