Portugal Get Away for Winter

-Paradise!

-Absolutely.

What if you could live abroad in winter

for the same cost as living in the UK?

This is priced at 595 per month.

Is that all?

By renting a piece of paradise...

Unbelievable. Wow, this is amazing.

..you could swap sleet and snow

for sun and sand.

Right, so let's go and have a look

-at some properties.

-Well, absolutely.

Get Away For Winter teams up sun-seekers

with a local property expert...

-Can you see yourself in here?

-I can, yeah.

..to find their perfect rental retreat.

It's like you're on holiday all the time!

Together, they'll leave no stone unturned...

This is unbelievable, isn't it?

..in order to find and fund their dream winter getaway.

This is what I was dreaming of and didn't even think existed!

In the seaside town of Littlehampton in Sussex,

the holiday season has ended.

Now the deck chairs have been packed into storage,

but hoping to steal back the sunshine

are Trish and Dave Gilford.

Former financial adviser Dave and his wife Trish,

who was a baby sign language teacher, are both retired,

and with a bit more spare time on their hands, I tell you,

they're not spending it sitting down!

Well, we both do a bit of dance.

We both do a bit of jive, we do a bit of Lindy hop.

We're nothing special, but we live.

-Speak for yourself, mate!

-Oh, all right.

Well, you are, obviously.

Yeah, I think so.

We've been married now 12 years, in fact.

This is the third time we've been married,

so hopefully third time lucky.

Having met later in life,

these adventure-seekers are keen to make every moment count.

So they're revving up their engines...

..to get away.

What we're looking at is getting away for the winter

and mostly because I don't do very well in the winter

and my health suffers.

Trish suffers from joint pain, low immunity and an eye condition,

all made worse, of course, by the cold and windy weather.

Spending two to three months abroad to alleviate her conditions is

something they've talked about for years.

And now they have a plan to make that happen.

What we're looking to do is to rent rather than buy

so that we don't freeze up our money by a big commitment.

So we'd like to go and give it a try.

Renting for long periods abroad has become more popular

as compared to buying. It isn't fraught with risk

and doesn't require a lump sum in the bank.

Trish and Dave think they have a way to make it work.

We're aiming to make enough money on renting out this property,

which I really believe we're going to exceed

the amount of money we're going to need.

Trish and Dave plan to capitalise on the strong rental market

in their hometown of Littlehampton.

Local estate agents have estimated that their three-bedroomed house,

within walking distance of the beach,

could generate as much as £1,100 a month.

We've got vases...

But they're looking at every financial angle

to make their winter getaway a reality.

This is car-boot things here.

Basically, we need to up our funds,

so we're trying to do everything we can to make money.

While they are abroad,

Trish and Dave also estimate that they'll save around £180 a month

on heating, electricity and petrol.

It all adds up to make their winter in the sun

as cost-neutral as possible.

How much would you pay for that?

A pound? Nowhere near enough.

-Fiver, minimum.

-Incredible, isn't it?

With the savings they'll make, and their rental income,

Trish and Dave have set their total winter sunshine budget

to cover all their expenses abroad at £1,280 a month.

£650 of this would be allocated

to renting their perfect home from home.

They have their finances sorted, and they know where they want to go.

We do like Spain, but we also realise that when we had

a holiday in Portugal a few years ago,

that actually it's also a really lovely country

and there's some really nice areas.

But we haven't really pinpointed, have we?

Not really, although south, in the Algarve area,

we're looking at the winter sun.

This is an opportunity for us to be adventurous.

We are adventurers anyway.

We love an adventure. So we're going to take the plunge.

Well, if it's adventure they're after,

they've picked the right location.

The Algarve is Portugal's southernmost region,

and winter temperatures in its capital Faro

rarely dip below 18 degrees in the off-season,

which runs from October to February.

Rental properties here range from rustic whitewashed fishing cottages

to upland villas, with rental prices dropping as much as 60%

in the off-season.

And a man who knows Portuguese properties better than most

is Nick Austin.

I moved to the Algarve... almost 14 years now,

be 14 years in February, with my partner and my son,

who was four months old.

Nick runs a property-management business

and will be showing Trish and Dave

everything that the Algarve has to offer.

What's great about here is the sheer diversity of properties.

You can go from anything of the latest, most modern design

of architecture, all the way back to Moorish-style villas.

So I think there's something for everyone, yes.

Trish and Dave are standing by to receive a video call from Nick.

Now, only one of them will be joining Nick

on the search in the Algarve,

so this is their opportunity to let him know

what they're both looking for in a winter rental.

Ah, Nick!

You must be Nick, yeah?

-Lovely to meet you.

-And to meet you, too, Nick.

Great, great. You look quite tanned, is it nice out there at the moment?

-We've had a good summer.

-Good.

-Is it going to be a good winter?

Generally, yes. It's pretty much sunshine here most of the year,

you'll be pleased to hear.

So, that's the first box ticked.

But is it a lively place? We like a bit of life.

However, Trish and Dave have a few more boxes to be ticked

to make their dream a reality.

One bedroom, minimum, but we prefer two.

Ideally, they're looking to rent a two-bedroom property

with a large living area and outdoor space for sunbathing.

So ideally, it'll be south, south-west facing.

They'd also like to be in an area where they can mix with the locals.

You want to experience more of a typical Portuguese lifestyle.

-Yeah.

-But having never been to the Algarve,

Trish and Dave will be relying on Nick's local knowledge

to find them the perfect property for the perfect price.

Is there any way you can talk us through now

the sort of rent for a month?

You're really looking for somewhere between 650, 700 per month.

-That's a lot.

-Who is coming out to view the property?

-Him.

-Dave.

I'm so sorry to disappoint you!

Well, thanks very much for all the information.

It's been really helpful.

-Cheers.

-Bye.

-Bye-bye.

-Bye. Bye.

Well, Nick is certainly off and running,

and Trish and Dave have now taken the first steps

towards their winter life abroad.

We've not done this before, so it is an adventure.

But I think the pressure it now puts on us

is to actually do something about our property.

I think it's important that we get our act together

and get this property marketed.

Trish and Dave have allocated £650 of their winter sunshine budget

for accommodation.

They're looking for a two-bedroom property with a south-facing terrace

in an area where they can immerse themselves in the local culture.

While Trish takes the lead

in getting their property in Littlehampton ready for rental,

it's going to be up to Dave to make sure

they're getting exactly what they need in Portugal.

In the alluring Algarve on the south coast of Portugal,

Dave has now made the 1,500-mile journey,

and he's enjoying his first taste of the Mediterranean climate.

It was great this morning waking up

after not having seen the place in light,

and opening the patio windows, seeing the sun, feeling the sun.

Nick is on his way to meet Dave to get the property search under way.

Well, Dave and Trish on the conference call were very,

very specific in some of the things that they wanted.

They might have to compromise on one or two of the points,

but I think that we've found some good options for them

for the budget that they have.

I spoke to Trish last night.

It's going to be interesting to see what she thinks of

my opinions of places, and that's what I'm worried about.

She'll ask me questions and I won't know the answers to them!

-Dave.

-Nick, I presume.

It is! Good to meet you in person.

-Welcome to the Algarve.

-Thank you so much.

-And you're on time, as well.

-Can you see a cloud?

-Not at all.

-Look at the sky.

-It's a good start.

It's a good start, my friend. It's a good start. Well done.

-Right, let's go and have a look at some properties.

-Well, absolutely.

Let's get the foot on the floor.

Nick will be showing Dave four rental properties in the Algarve.

The properties that we've got to show you

are not all in one place.

We've selected ones that are within the central region,

but each end of the central.

But it's not just Dave making the decisions.

At each property, he will video call Trish to make sure

they get what they both want from their £650 budget.

So you know what Trish likes and what she doesn't like.

Well, yes. I like to think I do!

HE LAUGHS

Well, this is a good test.

So where are we off to?

The first place we're going to be taking you to

-is a place called Vilamoura.

-Right.

Which is very much in the central central Algarve, if you like.

It's right in the middle of the main region.

Running along the central coast of the Algarve...

Vilamoura is a bustling modern town

that only started being developed 50 years ago.

-It's definitely a more built-up sort of town.

-Right.

It's very popular with some of the Algarve's 100,000 expats,

attracted by the cheap flights

that can be as little as £15 one-way to the capital Faro,

just 30 minutes to the west.

So there's always a lot going on in Vilamoura.

Packed with white sandy beaches, bars, restaurants and shops,

Vilamoura is popular with tourists, but also offers Trish and Dave

the year-round liveliness they crave.

So, Dave, this is the development.

-Yeah.

-Based around the condominium structure that's very, very common.

So obviously the spatial arrangement, I think,

-will be very good. OK, shall we go and have a look?

-Yes, please.

This spacious two-bedroom apartment

is purpose-built for modern living...

Bright, airy, cool.

..with a large living area

complete with air conditioning and Wi-Fi,

and a fully equipped kitchen with lots of additional storage.

I'm glad I see it's got the washing machine.

We're living in the modern world!

The apartment includes a spacious bathroom with shower and bath...

..and a second bedroom for guests.

-And then, master bedroom.

-Ah.

The apartment is living up to everything discussed

in Trish and Dave's brief.

So you picked the right one here, Nick.

But will the outside space be as impressive as the inside?

Well...

-That's a good space, isn't it?

-This is your garden.

-OK.

-Which is all maintained for you.

-Right, good.

So you don't need to bring your lawnmower or anything like that.

-Pleased to hear that!

-South-facing.

-Yes.

-Most importantly.

-Very good.

I really like this. I mean, the outside area is great,

-but I'll need to know the price.

-OK.

The price is £670.

Right.

£670 for accommodation is stretching their £650 budget.

And Dave has a concern.

It's a nice area, but obviously it's an expat area more.

It could be anywhere. I could be in Spain,

I could be in the South of France.

Trish and Dave were hoping for something a little more traditional.

And with the apartment ticking most of their boxes,

this will be a real test of what matters most to both of them.

Back in the UK, Trish has been waiting with bated breath

to find out if they're any closer to their dream break abroad.

I'm really looking forward to speaking to Dave.

I mean, I know he only left yesterday but I'm really,

really excited to talk to him, see how he is.

And also to see what he's exploring today.

At each property, Trish will be relying on Dave to show her around.

-There she is. Hiya. All right?

-Yeah, good.

-Looking good.

But will they be on the same page?

In we go. So it's got a little hallway here.

Looking good.

All right? We've got air conditioning throughout.

It's very cute.

And then the kitchen's not a bad size.

I get the feeling you're guarding yourself

against your feelings on this property, so I'm intrigued.

Oh, you get that, do you?

-Yeah.

-Oh, no,

I'm giving the game away now.

-I think now it's time to go outside, isn't it?

-OK.

Any feedback, good or bad, is always constructive.

Possibly Trish will surprise us both and absolutely love this property.

And what is that, a road, there?

It's a path.

It's not a road, it's a walking path.

I'm not sure about the pathway.

It doesn't look like there's a barrier to the pathway.

Uh-oh.

Trish has concerns about the privacy in a ground-floor apartment.

But the real question over this property

is its location in Vilamoura.

Are there a lot of Portuguese people living on that site?

Well, apparently not. This is mainly expats.

I'm glad you mentioned that, because that was in my mind.

I asked that question earlier and it is an expat area, really.

What's really driving Dave and, I assume, Trish, is location.

-See you later.

-See you later.

-Bye. Mwah!

-Bye, hon.

-You're back.

-Well, that was interesting, Nick.

Really? And her reaction, or her thoughts, were?

Very similar to mine.

-She liked it, she thinks it's a lovely place.

-Right.

But we do feel that being on the ground floor in an expat area...

Ultimately, you want to step out of your front door

-and you want to feel that you're in Portugal.

-I think so, absolutely.

-Great. OK. Well...

-Let's move on.

-..let's go on to the next property.

-Yeah.

This property is just over their £650 budget,

and is available to rent for £670 a month.

It has the two bedrooms they would prefer and good outside space.

But Trish and Dave don't like being on the ground floor.

And the most important thing Nick has learned

is that location really is everything.

By renting a property in Portugal, Trish and Dave are avoiding

the often expensive pitfalls of international property ownership.

They avoid buying fees, losing money in a risky property market,

and most importantly, it gives them the flexibility

of trying out an area that they've never been to before

while keeping their base back at home.

Trish and Dave would be free to settle in the Algarve

if they wanted to, because there are no visa or travel restrictions

at the moment for UK citizens in Europe.

Back in the UK,

Trish has been busy making arrangements to rent out their home,

with the aim of offsetting their rental costs abroad.

They plan to let out their house while they're away,

using an online booking site.

-Morning, Derek.

-Morning, Trish.

It means they save on estate-agent commission,

but will need someone on the ground to help with changeovers.

And that's where their family friend Derek comes in.

Since we last talked, things have moved forward

and now we've decided we really do want to let our property here.

Derek runs his own domestic cleaning company,

and will be maintaining their home between rentals.

It would be really nice if I could just go through

some queries with you.

Over the last ten years,

online booking sites have grown in popularity.

Derek, this is one of the bedrooms.

Dave and Trish will soon join the over 25,000 UK homeowners

who are currently making money from

renting out part or all of their home.

I would suggest putting grab rails. One would be there...

As well as paying for Derek's services,

Trish and Dave need to factor in a booking commission of around 3%,

additional landlord's insurance,

and any cost associated with making sure

that their property and its contents are safe for tenants to use.

-We'll also need to work out somewhere to store the linen.

-Yes.

Anyone with a mortgage also has to inform their lender

that they want to let their property out,

and may incur a charge.

-OK. Shall we go downstairs?

-Yeah.

As Trish balances the books...

..back in the Algarve...

..the expat area wasn't right for Dave,

so they're heading to somewhere a little more traditional

for the next property.

So, Dave, now we're going to head out to a place called Ferragudo.

-OK.

-Very picturesque, very traditional.

Around 30 miles east of Vilamoura,

Ferragudo is a traditional working fishing village.

It's a maze of picturesque cobbled streets

surrounded by original Moorish architecture.

You know, they use all the vibrant colours, you know.

You've got pinks and blues and yellows,

and it's the real sort of Algarvian style.

It's all so pretty. And with good links to public transport

and a plethora of local bars and restaurants.

If Trish and Dave wanted to experience

an authentic Portuguese lifestyle, it could be the perfect place.

But will the accommodation live up to its surroundings?

Well, Nick, very old, quaint.

-So, here we are.

-Ah! OK.

What I will say before we go in is that

because you're in the heart of Ferragudo

and this is a traditional Portuguese fishing apartment,

there's a certain price you're paying for the authenticity.

-OK. I'm with you. Right. Let's get in, can we?

-Of course.

Now, Dave is taken with Ferragudo,

but will he be as impressed with the property?

This one-bedroom authentic fishermen's cottage

has been sympathetically updated

with all the amenities that modern life demands.

That is a sofa bed, so if you do have family or friends coming over,

you do have that option.

It's only recently been renovated to suit a long-term let,

with a brand-new fully equipped galley kitchen and bathroom.

I'm impressed by the fact it's new, but old.

THEY LAUGH

Compared to the purpose-built complexes, space is at a premium.

But will that matter to Trish and Dave?

-So, come through.

-OK, yeah.

It is somewhere that I think will be lovely of a morning for breakfast,

-and it's peaceful. You're not being overlooked.

-No, no.

It's very secluded. There's something nice about it.

So the landlord at the moment is marketing this for £750 per month.

-But that does include bills.

-Does it? OK.

Utility bills in winter can average out

to nearly £100 a month in this area,

so with everything included, it does come just within the budget.

That'll be Dave.

Dave is keen, but will Trish feel the same way?

-Hi.

-Hubs, hi!

I wondered if you'd be there.

Yeah, what you up to?

Well, it's like brand-new, but it's a very old building.

Very cute, very small.

But modern. They've done a super job on it.

-I'll show you around.

-OK.

Dave is keen to first show Trish the outside area,

as it's as far removed from an expat complex as you can get.

Wow, that's lovely.

It's the kind where it was never going to tick all the boxes.

When you're renting, there is a compromise somewhere,

but admittedly it might be a little bit compact,

so it'll be interesting to see if Trish agrees with him on this.

I don't like that blooming...

The end on the bed.

It's taking up all the space!

I can tell you right now that that bed is an issue for me.

-Do you like it, hon?

-I like it, but it's a bit too small.

Yeah.

I think it gave Dave maybe a realistic outlook

on what's available for the budget that he has.

So let's leave it like that, shall we, for now?

-OK, honey.

-OK.

-Bye!

-OK, bye for now.

-Bye, darling.

-Bye.

-Well, Nick, that was very interesting.

-So how did it go?

Clearly the double bed, or the size of it, taking up the room,

she came on on that as well as I thought she would.

What I loved was the location.

It was perfect.

So well done, Nick, on finding that.

Now find us something a bit bigger!

Well, a woman who really knows what she wants.

Available to rent for £750 a month, including bills,

it is over their £650 budget.

It offers a modern interior with outside space in a good location,

but with only one compact bedroom.

Trish and Dave are beginning to realise

that if you want authenticity,

you may have to compromise on space.

Trish and Dave's property search is focused

along the Algarve's popular Central Coast.

Famed for its Mediterranean beaches, often packed

with some of the region's four million annual visitors.

In winter, however, Trish and Dave would experience

a much quieter slice of Portuguese life.

Renting here in winter also has its advantages,

with prices plummeting across all budgets.

Take this four-bed contemporary villa, with extensive pool area.

Complete with outside dining space,

it's on the market for £3,000 a week in winter -

2,000 less than in the high season.

Or this five-bed villa with elevated infinity pool,

available to rent for £8,000 a week in winter -

4,000 less than in summer.

The Algarve has something for everyone,

and in winter, you get a lot more for your money.

As well as reduced rental rates,

a big draw of spending months of the winter abroad

is the chance to try living like a local.

And as a keen dancer,

Dave's heard about a place in Ferragudo where he can do just that.

Ole!

Filled with almost entirely Portuguese locals,

who meet once a week to blow off some steam.

They call me Davros, but my name is David.

Good old Dave has wasted no time in making new friends!

Wow!

But the lively local dancers might take longer to get to know.

I mean, that's energetic, that's like a polka in England.

Polka, yeah, similar.

Wow. Beat that!

Dave has never tried Portuguese dancing.

Here we go, here we go.

So he'll have to learn fast.

Music and dance play a prominent role in Portuguese culture.

Traditional folk dances originate from the country's rural areas

and the farming communities, and are usually observed in public

during religious holidays and special events.

Thank you!

APPLAUSE

I need to get my breath back now!

This is the sort of thing we will want to be involved in.

What else can you say, really? It's ideal.

It looks as if Dave has got his dance card full for the night.

And he's found a way into the local life

that he and Trish can enjoy during their winter stay.

It's the morning after the night before.

Dave is back on the hunt for a winter rental,

where he and Trish hope to spend two to three months away

from the briskness of Britain.

I am totally lost.

Nick and Dave are heading to a property in a new location.

-Let's go back...

-That's pretty down there, look.

-Downhill, downhill, downhill.

-I'm going to go down there.

-And then you go downhill, you hit the water.

-Yeah.

So, Dave. We're now in the town of Lagos,

which is in the Western Algarve.

It's one of the main towns of the Algarve.

Further along towards the west,

the former capital of the Algarve, Lagos, perfectly blends

traditional Portuguese culture with lively nightlife,

with the old town still retaining its traditional charm and character.

It's a town, so there's plenty of life for you.

-So it's sort of Ferragudo on a larger scale, I would say.

-Yes.

Nick has got another traditional property to show Dave.

-So, Dave.

-Yeah?

-Walking around Lagos,

what do you think of the area?

Well, this is lovely here, the old-town parts, you know.

I've just glanced down the road and seen the tops of the ships,

-the masts.

-Right.

-So we're near the water.

I'm really taking you into Lagos as a local scene.

-So where are we going?

-We're going just here, on this corner.

-Right.

-Let's have a look.

-Ah.

-In here?

-In here.

-Ah.

-You're intrigued?

-I am.

-Good.

-I am. Yeah, come on.

Come on in. Let's have a look.

This two-bedroom converted town house

features an open-plan kitchen/living area.

I will say I love the character of it.

It is small, but it's cosy.

It's split over three levels with a basement bedroom,

complete with en suite bathroom.

-Oh, there's the washing machine.

-I just wanted to surprise you!

Oh, I see!

The master bedroom is located on the top floor,

with a compact veranda overlooking the cobbled streets below.

It's neat, it's all here, but it's limited, isn't it?

But with limited living space on the ground floor,

Dave's got an idea for the top-floor bedroom,

which could then make it a contender.

It might sound stupid, this, but you know,

we could make this part of the living area when we're here,

put a television up or whatever.

-And use downstairs as a bedroom?

-It's just a thought.

I would look at that as a possibility.

-Well, that...

-It'll be interesting to see what Trish says about that.

Dave's got some big ideas.

-Would you like to step out onto the balcony?

-I would, I would.

His plan to turn the master bedroom into a living area

would then give them the space they want.

-This is your lines for your washing.

-Washing line. Yeah.

At £580 a month, it is within budget.

I'd be very interested to see what the other half has to say about it.

I think she'll like it or hate it, basically.

-Ah, there you are. Hi.

-Hi, babe!

-So how are you today? You all right?

-Yeah, very good, very good.

Good, good, good. So...

Is that the lounge, then?

It is in fact a kitchen/lounge.

Oh, yes, so it is.

You'll notice the fully modern and sophisticated cooking facilities.

Electric. But it's neat, it's quirky.

So what do you think so far?

Well, I'm not sure.

It really is quirky.

I don't know.

Quite unusual. Wasn't expecting that.

So I'm carefully coming down the stairs.

Dave is embracing the quirks, but Trish,

hmmm...not so much.

I can't say as how that bedroom turned me on, love.

But to use it for people when they come and stay...

-OK.

-..probably would be all right.

-Mmm, OK.

But Dave still has his master bedroom conversion idea,

which might just turn things around.

What I thought was we could use the ground floor to sleep,

the basement area, and to change this to be a living area.

-No.

-In which case you'd have the light and, you know...

No. N-O.

-No?

-No.

-No. OK, OK.

-No.

HE LAUGHS

Given their budget, there's always going to be some compromises,

but I think what it does is it maybe sort of strips out

some of the romantic notions of

living in one of these traditional Portuguese cottages

and it makes them focus on what they really need in a property.

I'll say cheerio for now, then.

OK, darling. Bye.

Bye, darling. See you later.

Okey-dokey. Hello again.

Hello, Nick. Good conversation?

-Very good.

-What was Trish's reaction?

She said it's quirky, a bit too tight, a bit too small.

I'm beginning to realise that if you want something

that is traditional and authentic, that it looks like

we're going to have to live in a much more simple way,

less comfort. So we're going to have to have a talk about this

and decide what's going to be right for us.

For £580 a month, the property does come within their £650 budget,

but with a bit less to show for it.

In Lagos, Dave found another area

in which he could picture himself and Trish settling.

Now, there are two bedrooms,

but with smaller proportions and a quirky layout.

They'll be paying for the location in this case of the property

rather than its suitability.

With Nick's help, Trish and Dave are discovering the Algarve,

the areas that might work for them and the types of rental properties

available in winter for their budget.

They'll benefit from tapping into an extensive rental market

with prices as little as half of the UK average.

The cost of living here will also make

Trish and Dave's winter sunshine budget go a little bit further.

Utilities here are roughly 15% less than they are in the UK.

And even indulging in a three-course meal

will set you back around 10% less than it would in Britain.

They just need to find the right rental property

and Nick has one last option to show them.

With the town of Ferragudo delivering on authenticity,

Nick has brought Dave back to where he's hoping

the next property will deliver on space, as well.

If we could find the right property, this is a very nice area.

So is there any questions about the area

-that maybe we haven't touched on?

-Yeah. It's very important

-we have a local bus route and service that we're able to use.

-OK.

You've got the public transport, which is the national bus service.

-Fabulous.

-And for the odd extravagance,

you can get the water taxi.

-Water taxi, yeah.

-They speak English.

You can phone them, you can meet them at a time,

they can take you over to Portimao, Playa de Rocha, and it's reasonable,

very reasonable, and it's a quick way for you to get across the river.

Well, Dave, two minutes' walk,

we've come from Ferragudo's amenities and the quayside

to our next property. As you will see, it's modern, purpose-built.

-Right.

-Which I think will give you a lot more space.

So let's have a look inside.

-Yeah.

-Come in through this way.

OK. Interesting.

This modern, spacious ground-floor apartment

features two double bedrooms and two bathrooms

that can only be described as...

-Generous.

-Ah, very much.

Double doors lead to a light and bright living space,

with air conditioning and Wi-Fi included.

It reminds me of home.

The kitchen comes with all modern appliances

and even has its own larder.

Gobsmacked is a word that I would use.

It's got the space, but will Dave be as impressed with the outside?

-Come through.

-Wow.

So what do you think?

-Wow. Very nice.

-It's south-facing.

-South-facing.

-You have a huge amount of space.

-Indeed.

-Well secluded.

-Trish'll like that.

-And then you have your garden.

-Yeah.

And here it is. Wow. It's a big space.

-It's a huge space.

-It really is a nice place, isn't it?

COCK CROWS

Even the cockerel is agreeing with me, as well, which is fantastic.

The worrying thing is really is what you're going to hit me with

regarding the price.

The price is £580 per month.

I must say, Nick, I am genuinely surprised.

I can't say more than that.

I want to show it to Trish and see what she thinks.

Like other rental properties here,

this apartment is significantly reduced during the winter months,

where you can generally expect to pay between four and six times less

than in the high season. And by choosing a modern complex,

Trish and Dave could enjoy the space they need in the location they want.

Dave seems willing to compromise, but is Trish?

-Hiya.

-Hi! How are you today?

Well, getting over you not being here.

-Awww, do you miss me?

-Yeah, I do, darling.

This is the lounge area.

-That looks big.

-It is big.

Lovely, absolutely lovely.

God, look at the size of that telly.

Well, yeah, it isn't bad, is it?

I get the feeling you like this one.

HE LAUGHS

I wonder where you got that from!

SHE LAUGHS

I'm very pleased with the initial reaction that we got from Dave

when he came into the property.

His face told a lot of emotions there,

that he genuinely was very surprised at the quality

and I think, in particular, the size.

And this is the main bathroom.

So it's a bit bigger than the other one.

-Bit of a his-and-hers, then?

-Yes, you could say that.

I think I'll let you have the big bathroom

cos I'm generous like that, aren't I?

So, that with the added advantage

that I think is generally taken by Ferragudo as a destination

points to it looking that it's definitely a strong candidate

for Dave and Trish to consider at the end.

It seems to have everything.

Well, it d... It does.

It's great when you find something,

or you find a property that is in line with their expectations,

and in fact maybe exceeds their expectations,

as I feel, this time, it was the case.

-Okey-dokey, cheers for now, then.

-OK, darling.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-Bye!

-Bye, honey, bye.

-Dave.

-Hello, Nick, again.

Wow, that was a long conversation!

-It was! It was.

-And, tell me, was it a good conversation?

It was, Nick. She was very impressed.

-She was?

-I said she would be.

-Wow.

Let's be honest, this is a strong contender now, no doubt about that.

Hooray! It's a big thumbs up for property four.

Available to rent for £580 a month,

so it does come in under Trish and Dave's £650 budget.

With spacious rooms and a private south-facing terrace,

it fits all of their brief.

But have they really come to terms

with living in a modern complex?

It's going to be a big decision.

Nick has shown Dave the many ways of experiencing

the winter months in the Algarve.

Tomorrow, Dave will be back in Blighty

to talk things through with Trish.

Okey-dokey, here we go.

And they'll decide whether any of the properties

will be their first step to spending winter in the sun.

-Hiya.

-Hi, darling, all right?

Hello, Trish, how you?

I'm good, how are you?

We've got something to show you.

SHE LAUGHS

-Cheers!

-How very dare you!

So, this is the life, and this is the life we will be having.

Looks good to me!

With Nick's help, Trish and Dave have learned a lot about

the type of property that would suit them best.

I think, you know,

we're going to have to get away from the more traditional.

-It's not going to have enough space for us.

-Right.

And which area would give them the most for their money?

By bringing you into sort of the centre of towns,

I think that is coming at a premium for you.

-Yes.

-But if this experience has convinced them of anything,

it's that the Algarve is THE place for their winter getaway.

You really have whetted my appetite, hon.

I can't wait to get there.

And now the sun is setting on Dave's time in the Algarve.

Thank you very much for giving the feedback.

And I look forward to seeing you when you come over together.

In the morning, it's back to Britain,

and the big decision on whether to return.

-Good health.

-A toast to you, my friend, thank you so much.

Trish and Dave have been wanting to get away for years,

and decided that renting was the key to making it happen.

We were aiming to make enough money on renting out this property,

which I really believe is going to exceed

the amount of money we're going to need.

With Trish staying behind,

Dave jetted off to see exactly what Nick had to offer.

Right, let's go and have a look at some properties.

Well, absolutely.

The expat holiday haven of Vilamoura provided the perfect apartment.

See, you picked the right one here, Nick.

But the modern complex didn't capture

the traditional experience they were desperate for.

You want to step out of your front door and you want to feel

that you're in Portugal.

The Ferragudo fisherman's cottage gave them the authenticity,

but not much in the way of space.

I like it, but it's a bit too small.

Trish had strong feelings about the quirky Lagos town house,

and started to realise that they might just have to compromise.

If you want something that is traditional,

it looks like it costs more money.

Nick knew that he was onto a good thing in Ferragudo,

so hoped that a more modern apartment would be enough

to win them over.

Let's be honest, this is a strong contender now, no doubt about that.

With each property, Trish and Dave have learnt

exactly what is important when renting abroad.

The question is, have Trish and Dave made the move

and arranged their winter getaway to Portugal?

-Hi!

-Hi! Here we are.

In Portugal, basking in the sun, living the dream.

Not a cloud in sight.

Pretty good for December.

I'm glad to say that Trish and Dave took the plunge

and accepted a three-month lease

on the two-bedroom apartment in Ferragudo.

It does live up to everything Dave said.

And I'm so pleased that we came here.

We couldn't have picked a better one, I don't think.

So the area of Ferragudo is everything Trish imagined and more.

And they're already fitting in with the Portuguese locals.

It's a beautiful village, the people are wonderful.

We went dancing last Friday night and it was fantastic.

We're going to go every Friday now. Really great.

Every day I've been waking up happier than the day before.

As soon as I see that clear sky, I just feel so good.

BOTH: Bye!

Right, let's get sunbathing now!