We purchased the property!  The deed transfer occurred on October 3, 2022 and although the price was 285k EUR (Property + Furniture), the cost with all of the transaction fees (IMT Taxes 4.22%, Notary Fees 0.11%, Land Registry Office Fees 0.09%, and Lawyer fees 1.23%) brought the total to 301,091 EUR.  See the breakdown below:

We were traveling in Kalymnos doing some rock climbing when the transaction went through (we gave our lawyer power of attorney since we were traveling).  So, we arrived back in Portugal on October 20th and moved into the large upstairs room of the townhouse with sea views.  We immediately began work cleaning up the place and renovating.   

Here are some of our before and after photos!!

Dining Room/ Living Room

This room is on the first floor and at the end of the entrance hall.  It opens into the kitchen on the far side.  

BEFORE

The original photos when we first saw the room are below.  There was efflorescence on the right and left walls which is, apparently, a common issue in old homes in Portugal.  An old TV was mounted to the wall by the door.   There was a glass table with chrome chairs and a large, bulky old cabinet on the right.  

AFTER

We had the prior owners repair the efflorescence as well as checking on a potential water leak issue.  We removed the old cabinet, TV, table and chairs, and rearranged the fridges.  Then we added a couch and comfy chair, two tables, stools, and redecorated the walls with a tropical theme and mirrors make it feel more spacious.  Bi found the couch and one of the tables on facebook market so those were purchased secondhand.   The wall frames are also all second hand from the local charity shops.  One of our roommates likes to do woodwork so is building a bench along the back wall behind the tables which will be added soon.  The fridge was ugly so we added contact paper.  (Total Cost:  ~$560 with the most expensive items being the larger table which was new from Ikea and the overhead light which was also new from Bricomarche)

Downstairs Front Bathroom

This full bathroom is on the first floor and at the foot of the stairs.  

BEFORE

The original photos when we first saw the room are below.  The paint was particularly bad in this bathroom which does not come across in the photos but it was actually brown/yellow with some areas partially painted in white.  Apparently, the prior owners started to paint it but didn’t finish and just left it that way.  

AFTER

We freshly painted the room, installed a new light fixture, new shower curtains, storage cabinet, and a new mirror and vanity.  We actually had a plumber install the vanity which was a major fiasco.  The water tap from the city does not completely turn off so water was pouring out of the wall the whole time.  We spend hours mopping up so that the room would not completely flood.  The plumber took multiple attempts to cut appropriate holes in the vanity and to reconnect the pipes.  It was a whole day experience.  Anyway, he finally got it installed and it looks good but I’m fairly sure I could have done just as well on my own.  (Total Cost:  ~$320 with the most expensive items being the new vanity and mirror and the overhead light from Leroy Merlin)

Downstairs Back Bathroom

This full bathroom is on the first floor past the kitchen and down a hallway.  It is used as a private bathroom for the back room downstairs.  

BEFORE

The original photos when we first saw the room are below.  The tenant had allowed both his room and the bathroom to become moldy and in disrepair.  He kept his area very dirty and cluttered.  

AFTER

We freshly painted the room, installed a new light fixture, new shower curtains, new mirror and cabinet, painted the towel racks, and added wall decor, plants, and a bath mat.   (Total Cost: ~ 126 EUR.  The most expensive items were the medicine cabinet mirror and the overhead light which is out of view).

Upstairs Mid-Front Room (Room E)

This room is just to the right when you reach the top of the stairs.  It’s a small room with a closet on one side and a window on the other.  

BEFORE

The original photos when we first saw the room are below.  The paint was somewhat yellowed, especially on the door.  It was a bit of a mess with lots of clutter and random pieces of furniture and chairs in odd locations.  

AFTER

We freshly painted the room, replaced the overhead light, added a mirror and wall decor, changed the bedding, and installed a small white desk on the wall (out of the photo frame but located on the right hand side below the mirror).  We also added wooden pegs on the door to hang coats and towels.  (Total Cost:  ~ 189 EUR with the most expensive items being the wall mounted drop leaf desk from ikea which is out of view on the right and the thatched mirror. )

Upstairs Mid-Back Room (Room F)

When you reach the top of the stairs, you turn right and go past Room #4 on your right and the bathroom on your left and then through a doorway onto an outdoor but covered hallway.  Room #5 is then on your left as you proceed down the hall.  It’s a small room a window that opens out onto the outdoor hallway.  

BEFORE

The original photos when we first saw the room are below.  The room just looked a mess and was piled with clothes and appliances.  There was a truly awful and weird picture of creepy clowns on the wall.  

AFTER

We freshly painted the room, replaced the overhead light, added some wall decor, changed the bedding, added a small couch, and installed shelves on the wall.  We also removed several hanging rods bolted into the wall and replaced the curtains which are out of view.   (Total Cost:  ~105 EUR with the most expensive item being the beautiful second hand couch Bi found on Facebook marketplace for about 50 EUR).  

Summary

We are trying to keep costs down by purchasing second hand furniture as much as possible from either Facebook Marketplace or the local charity shops like Nandi (where the proceeds also go to for a good cause).  We also did a large amount of the cleaning and painting ourselves as well as all of the installation of light fixtures.  A major issue has been the quality of the help with the painters/plumbers/etc. being fairly sloppy and their work resembling more that of an amateurs than true professionals.  That has given us more incentive to do things ourselves and just try our best.  For sure, the improvements are not perfect but we feel we have made huge progress and are excited with the results so far.  What do you think?  Let us know your feedback!