We Bought a House at Auction in Portugal… But Had to Break In!
Behind the Scenes of Our Craziest Real Estate Adventure Yet!
You won’t believe what happened during our latest real estate adventure in Portugal. Buying property is always an exciting journey, but this one was next-level crazy!
A few weeks ago, we bought a house at auction here in Portugal. If you’ve ever considered bidding on an auction property, you know it can be both thrilling and nerve-wracking. For us, it was a whirlwind. From navigating the online bidding process to finally winning, we were so excited to get the keys to our new home and step inside for the first time.
But here’s where the story takes an unexpected turn…
Outbid Outside the Platform? During the process, we discovered something surprising (and a little frustrating): another bidder had managed to submit a higher offer outside the official online auction platform. We didn’t even know that was possible! Thankfully, we still won the property, but this revealed an unexpected twist in how these auctions can work.
No Keys! When we signed the deed, we learned we wouldn’t get the keys to the house. Instead, we’d have to ask the previous owners (who lost the house due to debt) for them. Awkward, right?
The Break-In: On our way to check out the house, we got even more shocking news—it had been broken into that same day, and several items were stolen!
Our Own ‘Break-In’ Adventure: Since we didn’t have keys, we had to climb in through a window just to see the inside of the house we’d just bought.
You’ll have to watch the video for the full story (trust me, it’s wild), but this experience gave us a new perspective on buying auction properties in Portugal. It’s not just about finding a great deal—it’s about understanding the challenges that can come with it, from legal hurdles to unexpected surprises.
Experiences & Lessons Learned:
If you’re thinking about buying property in Portugal—or anywhere, really—we’ve learned a few lessons from this experience:
Expect the Unexpected: Auction properties can be incredible deals, but they often come with a complicated backstory (like unpaid debts or litigation).
Be Ready to Improvise: From missing keys to dealing with former owners, flexibility is key when buying an auction home.
Understand the Process: Knowing how auctions work in Portugal (including the possibility of off-platform bids!) and the laws around them can save you a lot of stress.
We’re so excited to share this journey with you—our video dives into the details, and we’d love to hear your thoughts after watching.
Let us know in the comment section of this video: Have you ever thought about buying a house at auction? Would you take on a challenge like this?