The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has spoken about how the UK is entering 'frankly unchartered territory' as pensions freedom day (6 April 2015) draws inexorably nearer. Nobody knows what the impact of suddenly granting those aged 55 and over the freedom to manage their own financial future will be, but a study published by Hargreaves Lansdown has indicated that around 16% of those who plan to withdraw their entire pension intend to put it into property.

Our choice for this week is a magnificent Mediterranean style mansion set in the exclusive Porto de Mós area of Lagos in the Western Algarve, just five minutes from the centre of Lagos town.
With three en-suite bedrooms plus a separate two bedroom apartment, this property offers endless luxury for €950,000.

As we approach the Easter break the markets seem to be taking a little breather from extreme volatility. STG/EUR has drifted down to around the 1.35 level.

Far from having cloud, wind, rain and cold temperatures, as in much of Europe on Saturday, it was the backdrop of the blue sky and sands of Fuzeta, which made the perfect backdrop for another Live Broadcast from 'Buy in the Algarve'.

Figures released by the National Statistics Institute covering the ten months ending in October 2014, show that the number of people spending a night in the Algarve exceed the overall figures for the whole of 2013, making last year one of the best for tourism in recent times.

Between January and October of 2014, 15.5 million overnight stays took place in the Algarve which is an increase of 11.2% on the figures for the same period in 2013.

The international property sector has been hungry for Chinese buyers in recent years, with countries such as Spain and Portugal courting them through golden visa programmes and tempting tax incentive schemes. From second homes in the sunshine to hotel rooms for oil workers on the frozen plains of North Dakota, Chinese buyers have been flooding the property investment market with their money.

"The Asian market has been hugely important over the past few years," comments Robert Gavin, Group CEO of NDD Group, which specialises in high end workforce accommodation solutions like the Transhudson Hotel - Parshall in the US state of North Dakota. "Demand remains strong and we have opened offices in both Singapore and China in order to manage the appetite there for US property purchases."

For Sale by the owner is this 13 hectare Monchique plot with potential development of two existing properties, or new builds of up to 250 square metres each.

Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, this 130,000 square metre plot (approx.), including just under 20,000 square metres of terraced agricultural land, has two ruins for development.

Set atop the range of hills separating the Alentejo and the Algarve, this typical Portuguese windmill building has stunning 360 degree panoramic views over the 'Serra'.

With an unusually large plot for this type of property (4 acres) and priced at just €35,000, the windmill no longer has its sails, but the the grindstones and gears are still in place.

This week’s selection is a gorgeous four bedroom cottage located in the lovely mountain town of Odeleite, a quiet area of Castro Marim in the western Algarve. This charming property offers access to a quiet life and extraordinary recreational activities.