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A small fishing boat pulled up on the sand, with the white houses and church tower of Ferragudo across the water and small boats moored in the estuary.

Algarve buyer's agent · at Goldcrest

Buy the Algarve from the inside.

I'm Enrique Arcay Hardtmann, a buyer's agent working across the whole Algarve. I live here, and more than 100 buyers from abroad have bought a home in Portugal with my help. I work only for the buyer.

Write to me Ask for a call How I'm paid

Ferragudo, a boat pulled up on the sand.

  • 100+ buyers from abroadhave bought a home in Portugal with my help
  • Only for buyersfor the last five years, after three on the listing side
  • The whole AlgarveI work across the region, wherever the right house is
  • English · Portuguese · Spanishso I can talk to everyone involved

Licence AMI 23310, held by Goldcrest. Check it on the IMPIC register.

Enrique Arcay Hardtmann
Enrique Arcay Hardtmann · Buyer's agent in the Algarve, at Goldcrest

Who you'd be working with.

For the last five years I've worked only for buyers from abroad. Before that I spent three years on the listing side, so I know how sellers' agents think. Because I live here and speak the language, I talk directly to sellers, agents, lawyers and the local council, and you get the answers first-hand. I keep things friendly with the other side, which makes agreeing a price much easier.

You work with me, from the first email to the keys. Goldcrest is the licensed agency behind me: it holds the licence and signs the contract.

Reviews on Google

I work at Goldcrest, so clients usually review my work on Goldcrest's Google profile. Here's part of one that mentions me. The client had asked about projects in one particular city, and here's how they describe my answer:

“…none that they would recommend I put money into.”

Goldcrest is rated 5.0 on Google from 59 reviews, as of 19 October 2026. It reflects the whole team's work, mine included. Read all 59 reviews on Google

More about me

Before you decide

The questions I ask, and the answers in writing.

The agent showing you a house usually works for the seller, and many of them are very good. I get on well with them, and I sit on your side of the table.

  1. What does this street feel like in August, not February?
  2. Can anything be built between you and that view?
  3. Would I still recommend it at €100,000 more?

For every house worth your time, I write you an assessment: the facts, my opinion, what I'd do, and what still needs checking and by whom. When a house is right, I'll say that just as clearly.

From an assessment I wrote for a client

Fact
The listing describes more bedrooms and more private outdoor space than the registered documents do.
My view
That difference is carrying a large part of the asking price. If the documents don't support it, a bank may not lend against it and a future buyer may not pay for it.
My recommendation
Make the offer on what the documents support, not on what the listing describes. Commit to nothing until the lawyer has confirmed the status of the outdoor space.
Still to verify
Which parts of the outdoor space are private, which are shared, and what their legal status is. Your lawyer needs to confirm this.
Shortened, with details changed so the property can't be identified.

The areas

Find the part of the Algarve that fits your life.

I live here, so I notice things a listing won't tell you. Whether “walking distance to the beach” still feels true in August with two chairs and a cooler. Whether the prettiest village in the photos means a steep walk up every time you need bread.

Explore the areas

How it works

From your first email to the keys.

Buying from abroad can mean long weekends flying in to see houses you could have ruled out in five minutes if someone had walked the street first. With me, you deal with one person, and I deal with the agents, developers, owners and specialists.

  1. 1

    First conversation

    We talk about why you're buying, how you'll use the house, your timing and your budget. Ask me whatever you like; I answer openly. It costs nothing.

  2. 2

    A written agreement

    If we both want to go ahead, you sign a written agreement with Goldcrest, called a mandate. It's exclusive, so your search gets my full attention.

  3. 3

    The search

    I look across every agency, developers and private sales, and at off-market homes when they exist. You only see what holds up, each with a written assessment.

  4. 4

    Viewings

    I read the documents first and, where the owner agrees, I film what the listing leaves out. Afterwards, tell me honestly what you thought. It helps me find the next one.

  5. 5

    Price and checks

    I work out a price with real reasons behind it, and we agree your walk-away point first. Anything legal or structural, I raise early for your lawyer or surveyor to confirm.

  6. 6

    To the keys

    I keep your lawyer, surveyor and the other side moving in the same direction until the deed is signed and the keys are yours.

How I'm paid.

A higher price means a larger commission for me, and apart from the initial fee that covers the search, I'm paid only when you buy. I'd rather you hear that from me. It's also why I put my reasoning in writing, so you can weigh it for yourself.

  1. 1

    €1,000 initial fee

    You pay it only when you decide to go ahead with a written mandate. It covers my consultancy work and the costs that come with it, and it shows we're both serious about this, so I can put proper time into your search. It doesn't go towards the price of the property.

    If you change your mind within 14 days, I refund it minus any work already done; after that, I refund it if no work has started.

  2. 2

    Usually nothing more to pay

    In most purchases, the selling agency shares its commission with Goldcrest, half each.

  3. 3

    If the seller's side won't share

    In that case, or if the price is below €300,000, you pay 1.5% of the price, with a minimum of €6,000. We agree this before any offer.

Writing to me costs nothing. The mandate is with Goldcrest (Golden Solstice, Lda., AMI 23310), which invoices the fees. VAT is added only if you're resident in Portugal. You'll have the full terms in writing before you commit. Taxes, lawyer, notary, registration, survey and financing costs are separate.

Tell me what you're looking for.

You don't need to have the whole Algarve worked out first. If there's a house you keep going back to, tell me about it. I'll tell you honestly whether I can help.

A few lines are enough. I read everything myself and reply personally, usually within 24 hours on weekdays. Nothing you send goes to sellers or onto a mailing list.

Enrique

Write to me Ask for a call

Before we speak

Do you act for buyers or sellers?

For the buyer. When you work with me, I act for you under a written mandate with Goldcrest, and every property gets the same questions, whoever is selling it.

What do I sign, and can I stop?

A written mandate with Goldcrest. It runs for six months and can be extended for another six, and either of us can end it by email. The refund rules are under How I'm paid.

When should I contact you?

Before you've booked too many viewings. The sooner I know what you want, the fewer wrong houses you'll spend time on.

More questions, including fees and off-market homes