Be honest: most real estate ads in Portugal seem straight out of a dream catalog. “Stunning view of the Tagus,” “completely renovated,” “unbeatable price,” “unique opportunity”… and then you get there and upon visiting the house you think: “But where is the view? And was this renovation done with Lidl paint in 2003?”
It is not an isolated case. Almost everyone has been deceived (at least a little) by a beautiful advertisement. And today, with editing, wide-angle, home staging, and cinematic videos, it's increasingly easy to sell a feeling... instead of the actual house.
The secret lies in learning to read between the lines before wasting time with visits or, worse, with illusions and disappointments. Take note of these 10 classic signs that deserve suspicion at first sight.
- “Incredible view / panoramic / sea view / castle view”
• If the ad does not specify the floor and if there is a balcony or terrace, be suspicious. Often the “view” only appears if you stretch your neck out the kitchen window on the rear 1st floor... and the day is clear.
• Ask right away: “From which room is the view?”, “Is it an unobstructed view or just a little glimpse between buildings?” and “Is there any vacant land in front that might be built on?”. If possible, ask for a short video taken from the window, without zoom and without cuts.
- “Fully remodeled” or “recently renovated”
• Frequent translation: they painted the walls and changed the cabinet handles. Always ask: “When was the renovation?”, “What was actually done?” and “Are there invoices/warranties?”.
• If they talk about serious work, confirm the essentials: plumbing, electricity, windows, insulation, kitchen, and bathroom. And if there were changes to the layout (walls removed, open-plan kitchen, etc.), ask if everything was done regularly and documented.
- Absurdly low price per m² (or ad without price)
• If the price/m² is 20~30% below the area's average, one of two things: either there is a problem (noise, leaks, future building work, complicated condo), or the ad is outdated, or it's clickbait to capture contacts.
• And beware of the “cheap with small print”: confirm if it is really a normal sale, if it is free of occupancy, liens or charges, and if there are no less obvious conditions (e.g.: ongoing lease, sale of a share, etc.).
- Photos taken with fisheye lens + strange angles
• Does the living room look like a pavilion? Does the bathroom look like it came out of a magazine? They probably used a wide-angle lens (notice the crooked lines and “stretched” furniture).
• Ask for normal photos (phone, no filters) and a continuous video walking through the house, without cuts. Simple tip: ask for a photo of the ceiling and corners (where dampness and cracks appear) and another of the floor near the walls (where unevenness and stains appear).
- “1 minute from the metro” / “5 minutes from the beach” / “historic center”
• They are probably measuring the distance on foot… made by an Olympic marathon runner. Ask for the street (or exact address, if possible) and confirm on Google Maps the real walking time, including inclines.
• And do a practical check: confirm during peak hours and at the end of the day. There are areas that seem perfect on the map, but in reality, traffic, noise, and parking change everything.
- Unclear description: “spacious”, “bright”, “functional”, “with potential”
• “With potential” = may need serious work. “Functional” = not pretty, but livable. “Bright” sometimes means “has a large window… facing north”.
• Look for (or ask for) concrete data: areas (and what type of area it is, gross or usable?), year of construction, floor, elevator, solar orientation, balconies/storage/garage, and a floor plan with measurements. If the ad always avoids numbers and lives only on adjectives, it's a bad sign.
- Old or generic photos of the surrounding area (or zero photos of the exterior)
• If the photos look too perfect and generic, or if there are NO photos of the facade/building/street, do not proceed blindly.
• Ask for images of the exterior and the building entrance. And use Street View to confirm if the surroundings match the ad's “mood”, because what doesn’t appear in the lens is usually what weighs in the decision.
- “Reason for sale: moving abroad / inheritance / divorce”
• This story repeats so often that it's already a yellow flag. Sometimes it's true, but it's also used to create urgency (“I need to sell quickly”).
• Keep your pace: visit, validate documentation, compare alternatives, and only then decide. If they try to rush you, take that as information, not as an argument.
- Photos “too perfect” (virtual home staging or virtual images)
• When everything looks too flawless (perfect lighting, catalog furniture, zero imperfections) ask directly: “Is this the house as it is today or is it staging/visualization?”
• Ask for a simple, real-time video, without music and without cuts, showing “less glamorous” details (baseboards, joints, inside cabinets, frames, balcony, garage, storage).
- Haste, conversation shifted off-platform, and requests for money “just to reserve”
• If they push you to WhatsApp “because it's easier”, avoid calls, don't clarify doubts in writing, or when they ask for payment before visiting and documentation, stop!
• Practical rule: without a visit + without identity validation + without minimum information/documents, there are no transfers, no “deposits”, no reservations.
Quick checklist before responding to the ad:
- Request the exact address (or, at least, approximate street + parish) and confirm on Google Maps/Street View
- Request floor plan with areas and confirm what type of area is being used (gross private, dependent, etc.)
- Request the year of the last renovation + list of what was actually done + invoices/warranties when available
- Request Energy Certificate (if E/F, prepare for higher costs and less comfort)
- Compare price/m² with 3~4 similar properties in the same area (comparable typology and condition)
- Request photos of the exterior (facade and entrance) and a continuous video (without cuts) walking through the house
- Confirm if there is an elevator, the condition of the building, and planned works (even if “it's just a quick question”)
- If there is an agent, note the license number (AMI) and validate it
- If possible, request Property Record and permanent/certified registration (to understand liens, mortgages, usufructs, etc.)
At the end of the day, the best filter remains: in-person visit + specific questions (and direct answers). If the real estate consultant or owner responds defensively, or changes the subject, avoiding answering… there is usually something that is not being said.
And what about you? Have you been caught by any of these tricks?
Rate this article:
