According to the APEMIP barometer, for December 2017, "the Portuguese real estate sector is experiencing a level of dynamism that has not been seen for a long time, especially in the housing segment."

"It is absolutely fabulous to see this, especially when compared to two to three years ago, where the assets in the portfolio took up to two years to be sold," said the president of APEMIP, Luis Lima, noting that the "speed" now seen, with more than 80% of properties chaing hands in less than six months, confirms how well the real estate market is faring at the moment.

APEMIP's barometer also shows that "about 55.6% of the sales were properties with a price of up to €175,000," which according to the APEMIP president "mirror the bulk of sales made in the domestic market."

According to Lima, a return to new construction is starting to become "inevitable" as "otherwise, housing problems will become even more acute," because supply is getting smaller and is not meeting demand.