Maya de Filippo, The Buyer’s Agent Portugal

12/09/2026

There's already plenty of general advice out there about moving to Portugal.

We wanted The Buyer's Briefing to do something different: every month, on the first Thursday, we zoom in on one decision buyers face.

For our first session on 1 October, we're discussing how to choose where to live in Portugal, beyond the holiday experience. Many of you looking to move already know Portugal well, often as a holiday destination.
We've seen that if you don't switch the lens through which you look at the country, it can take you down the wrong path.

Live online, first Thursday of every month.
Save your space: https://thebuyersagentportugal.com/portugal-property-webinar

PS: Feel free to register even if you are unable to attend. The recording will be made available to those registered.

Independent buyer representation for international clients purchasing property in Portugal. Property search, negotiation, purchase support and advice from the buyer's side.

10/09/2026

A property search becomes much more useful once the brief has been properly tested.

A buyer may tell me:
"We want to be by the sea."
"We want somewhere authentic."
"We're flexible."
"We don't mind renovating."
"We want peace and quiet but we do not want to be remote."

Those statements may sound clear, but they often hide very different expectations. This is the in-depth work we take the time to do with each of our clients.

We hope our new website reflects much more of the work that happens before the search begins: understanding what a buyer is actually trying to achieve, and testing the assumptions behind the brief.

https://thebuyersagentportugal.com/

06/08/2026

I really enjoyed speaking with BBC Radio Stoke today about why Portugal attracts so many international buyers, the different areas people might consider and how to approach buying here.

One of the most important points we discussed was that there is no single “best” place to buy in Portugal.

A location that is perfect for someone wanting a year-round family home may be completely wrong for a buyer looking for an occasional holiday property. City life, the coast, countryside, community, privacy and ease of maintenance all need to be considered.

My main piece of advice: Do not fall in love with the property before you understand the why, the where and the what.

Start by thinking about the life you want to create in Portugal. Work out your realistic overall budget, investigate how the location functions throughout the year and obtain the right independent professional advice before the excitement of the search takes over.

Buying in Portugal can be enormously rewarding. Good preparation simply helps ensure that you buy the right property, in the right place, for the right reasons.

Thank you to BBC Radio Stoke for inviting me to join the conversation. The host is thinking about joining us, let's hope she makes it to Portugal!

P.S. A behind-the-scenes attempt to capture the moment before going on air. My photographic technique apparently involved hiding my face as thoroughly as possible.

Are you considering Portugal?
Let's have a conversation. DM Me or book a time with me: https://meet.brevo.com/thebuyersagentportugal

05/08/2026

Tomorrow, I’ll be speaking with BBC Radio Stoke about buying property in Portugal.

We’ll be discussing why Portugal continues to attract international buyers, how different regions suit very different lifestyles, what the market currently looks like and where someone should begin if they are considering a purchase.

One point I hope to make is that choosing a property should not be the first decision.

Before looking at listings, buyers need to understand how they want to live, what they can realistically spend and which location will support that life beyond the holidays.

It will be a short conversation, but an important subject. Buying abroad can be enormously rewarding when the excitement is supported by good preparation and independent advice.

05/08/2026

A day in the Algarve...its August and I alone...😍

19/06/2026

Three days in Portugal. Two regions. Multiple properties. And something harder to quantify.

“Just the fact of spending time together was great — we got to know one another, achieved a good personal comfort level, and it allowed us to mull things over and come up with questions as the tour unfolded.” — Bill & Skye

The best decisions don’t come from pressure. They come from space; space to think, to ask, to sit with what you’ve seen. That’s what a properly structured discovery trip creates. And why we don’t rush it.

✦ The Buyer’s Agent Portugal

15/06/2026

On being asked "What part of our work together has brought you the most value following your first discovery trip with us?", this is what they said:
“𝐼𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑒𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔-𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝑊𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑡 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑑-𝑡ℎ𝑒-𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑒𝑑𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑐 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔.” — Bill & Skye

Finding a property is 20% of the work. The other 80% is understanding what kind of acquisition you’re really making — and what it means for your finances, your life, your future options.

Buyer representation should feel like a considered decision with a trusted adviser alongside you. Not a transaction.

So when you speak with potential buyer's agents in Portugal, remember to ask these questions:
✦ In this transaction, whose interests do you represent — mine, or the seller's?
✦ How do you conduct a property search? Do you have listings?
✦ Will you be with me at every viewing, or am I visiting properties on my own?
✦ Beyond finding the property, how do you help me think about the long term, what this specific purchase means for my finances, my life, and my future options?
✦ How do you get paid and wh

12/06/2026

You can’t fall in love with a spreadsheet.

Bill and Skye came open-minded; from Lisbon apartments, to rural Castelo Branco, and everything in between. The discovery trip gave them something research can’t:

“Knowing the actual neighbourhoods was important — as well as the feel of actually being in the apartments and the house.” — Bill & Skye.

And we were with them during the whole discovery trip.

I think what they really got out of the trip is not to rely on assumptions and pre-conceived ideas. They felt disappointment when they expected excitement and magic where they didn't look for it!

Clarity isn’t built from listings. It’s built from being there.

✦ The Buyer’s Agent Portugal

10/06/2026

Following the publication of the new housing law, I have three questions on my desk this week.

✦ Am I still welcome? Yes.
✦ Will I pay more? It depends on your situation.
✦ Should I rush? It is almost never the right reason to buy.

The new Portuguese housing law is reshaping the maths for some buyers and barely touching others. The difference matters.

If you would like the honest version for your specific case, start the conversation. Link in bio.