Real Estate Rehab – Portuguese Urban Regeneration Areas

Portuguese urban regeneration areas are significant investment opportunities that can provide very beneficial financial rewards. Real estate rehab has proved to be incredibly popular with foreign real estate investors in recent years. At Goldcrest, we are ready to help you discover this business opportunity and make the best investment for you in the Portuguese real estate industry.

 

 

Each city has its underutilized land, and those in Portugal are no different. If you are looking to invest in Portugal, taking on rehab projects and making these areas attractive to live in can prove to be extremely favorable investments. This is because the buildings in these areas are purchased relatively cheaply, redone, and then ready to be rented out, providing reliable rental income and high returns on investment. It is about finding the best urban regeneration investment opportunities for you.

In this article, we’ll highlight some of the most attractive urban regeneration areas for investors, focusing on the cities of Lisbon and Porto, where many rehab properties and Portuguese urban regeneration areas are located. We will also highlight some areas elsewhere in the country that are viable options for real estate rehab. If you would like more information on the subject, you can schedule a meeting with our team of real estate consultants.

 

What counts as a Portuguese Urban Regeneration Area?

An urban regeneration area, also known as an “urban rehabilitation” area by the state, is defined as an area that has degradation. It goes without saying that these areas may not be considered the most attractive investment option for foreign investors, which limits their appeal. However, these areas have the potential for good returns on investment. 

When it comes to defining what is meant by a renovation project, the following requirements must be met:

• The building must be more than 30 years old or in an area of urban redevelopment, according to the local city hall. 
• The property needs to have been officially set up for renovation.

Portuguese Urban Regeneration Areas

Portugal’s urban development has been largely driven by foreign investments over the past few years. Whether you are looking for a historic city apartment in Porto to renovate or looking into up-and-coming investment opportunities, such as Marvila, there are many Portuguese urban regeneration areas that are excellent options for real estate investing.

Talking to local real estate associations will help you to better understand each neighborhood. Book a call with Goldcrest to uncover the best rehab properties to renovate in Portugal with profitable investment potential and develop a real estate investment strategy. Here, we outline some of the most desirable areas for urban regeneration investment opportunities.

 

Goldcrest: Who we are and what we do

Goldcrest is a local buyer’s agent situated in Portugal. We provide insightful real estate expertise and strategic advice. From sourcing to property acquisition, we help clients identify outstanding investment opportunities in some of Portugal’s finest locations.

If you’re interested in the rehab process and finding a rehab project investment property in Portugal, our team of experts can help you find the right property without the hassle or fuss. Contact us to get the ball rolling on your Portuguese property investment.

 

Lisbon – Marvila

Real estate in Lisbon provides some of the most sought-after properties. However, there are many areas in the city that have the potential to become a rehab project for real estate investors.

Located in the east of Lisbon, Marvila is fast becoming one of the most trendy parts of the city. Once a dilapidated area of distressed properties,  Marvila is now thought of as the place to be by many. With many old warehouses converted into workspaces, art spaces, and craft breweries, this is now one of the coolest areas of Lisbon. 

While Marvila is continuing to increase in popularity, now is a good time for investors looking into renovation areas in Lisbon. Demand here will likely increase over the next few years, and investing in a rehab property now, while prices are still relatively low, could be a good option for potential buyers.

 

Lisbon – Beato

Also, on the east side of the city, sandwiched between Alfama and Parque das Nações, Beato is one of the oldest municipalities in Lisbon. Ongoing rehabbing projects are aimed at cultivating this area of the city by providing modern residential homes while still preserving its historical roots. Therefore, for incoming real estate investors, this is an exciting opportunity. 

With some work to the buildings, this could be one of the most fashionable areas of the city if Beato could retain its historic charm while providing a modern area for residents to live.

 

Porto real estate – The Historic Center

The historic center of Porto has also seen many reworkings and rehabbing projects in recent years, including Baixa and Massarelos. A profitable investment would be to buy distressed properties in these areas at a lower price. After this, you can make home improvements and then rent them out to meet the increasing demand. The historic center is much sought after by tourists and is considered a good location for short-stay rental investment properties.

Long-term rentals could also be a good option, as they offer more stable monthly rental income, lower tenant turnover, lower maintenance costs, and require less hands-on involvement from the landlord. 

While house prices in Porto have increased, they are still more affordable than housing in Lisbon. This makes Porto real estate a nice option for investors as not only is it more affordable but also in high demand.

Check out our article: Porto Real Estate: Where to Buy Expert Guide.

 

Porto – Lapa

A historic part of Porto and home to the beautiful Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Lapa, Lapa is located a little to the north of the city. Urban regeneration here includes a drive for more residential areas and an urban park. In addition to this, local authorities are looking to implement better access to the metro station. There are several areas in the neighborhood that could prove to be excellent investment opportunities, particularly as the demand for housing will continue to rise in the future.  

Porto – Campanhã and Bonfim

Two up-and-coming neighborhoods in the city. As the popularity of the city increases, both Campanhã and Bonfim are becoming excellent locations to the east of the city.  

Campanhã is a traditional neighborhood but is becoming the fashion hub of the city. Bonfim, however, provides a vibrant mix of young creative types living alongside older residents.

Porto municipality is aiming to implement projects for coworking spaces, a business center, and art galleries here. In terms of residential real estate, demand is also growing in this part of the city. This could be a good area for many investors looking to flip houses and meet the increasing need of potential buyers.

Porto – Vila Nova de Gaia

On the other side of the Douro River to Porto, you have Vila Nova de Gaia. Renowned for its spectacular views of Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia has become a great area for potential homebuyers. Here, residential houses are close to both Porto and the sea. 

Vila Nova de Gaia has many different types of properties. On the coast, you have more luxury houses. There are also many residential apartments with locals inhabiting them. Expats are also moving to Vila Nova de Gaia, as house prices are more affordable than in Porto City.

 

Setúbal

Setúbal has been labeled as the “sexy new investment opportunity in Portugal” by Idealista, with urban real estate rehab driving interest from investors. New business concepts are opening up in the city, with locals, expats, and tourists all showing increasing interest in this part of Portugal. Interest in short and long-term rentals are both increasing, providing ample opportunity for real estate investors interested in flipping houses to increase the home value.

In the past years, there has been a great increase in the acquisition of buildings for urban regeneration. This is particularly the case in the historic center. However, at present, regeneration and developments are spreading from the city center to other areas to cater to increased demand.  

Setúbal has become a popular destination as it’s not far from the capital of Lisbon. Its proximity to the beautiful beaches at Sesimbra also makes it a desirable location.

 

The Algarve – Olhão

The Algarve is a unique area. Home to premium properties, incoming tourists, and a top-quality life, the Algarve is a much sought-after location. 

When it comes to Portuguese urban regeneration areas, the municipality of Olhão is a good option when looking for Portuguese areas ideal for real estate rehab. There are increasing numbers of foreigners interested in the traditional houses in the Barreta quarter of Olhão, a very traditional neighborhood where life has not changed too greatly for many. Olhão is very different from the more tourist-driven parts of the Algarve, and investing in this city could be a very attractive option.  

If one of these areas has caught your eye, or if you would simply like more information on any of them, you can schedule a call with a Goldcrest advisor, who will be able to provide you with tailored advice on which area is a viable location for you, based on your needs.