Maio apartment and Villa Property

Vila do Maio and Morro Beach

The island with possibly the greatest potential of all, as there is hardly anything there at the moment apart from fine sandy beaches. It is difficult to get to, so not good for rental. Perhaps the most advanced site is the Italian sponsored Vila do Maio development. which is built just south of the main town of Vila do Maio.

A development which ran into trouble but may recover is Vila Maris, north ofthe town and airport on the fine beach at Morro.

In the town of Vila do Maio itself at the northern end is a small development of houses, which is expanding slowly. This is mostly ocupied by Germans and there is a German developer selling them. He builds only to order. But the towers attached to bungalows are quite attractive. Unfortunately the site is just behind the only petrol station on the main road between Porto Ingles and the airport. As tourism builds on Maio, the road into this small, sleepy town which links to the jetty, now empty except for the occasional aluguer will bustle with construction traffic.

Corruption by Mayor in Sale of Land

Tthe Ministry of Finance and Planning’s Inspection Department found evidence of illegal land dealing. Over € 1m has been embezzled and the president of the Camara Manuel Ribeiro, of, the MpD, was encouraged to resign. The Finance Ministry found that State and private land had been sold and some businesses exempted from tax in return for donations. The Praia and Santa Cruz land registries illegally altered property titles for plots of land on Maio.

The Maio Camara is required to reimburse the State for the business dealings involving public lands or to annul the transactions. This has frozen all land title changes on the affected parts of the island. Some UK buyers have received refunds of twice the deposits that they have paid.

Turtle Bay, Ponta da Boca. Goncalo Praia

This consists of two 50 ha plots without any roads or drainage as yet. It is on a beach on the windy northy-eastern side of the island as far away from the airport and main town at Vila do Maio, also called Porto Ingles as it is possible to get. Some 70 plots of land are now being offerred of 1,000 sqm along with plans for villas on a 250 sqm footprint. They are being sold at £40,000 in the rear and £54,000 in front. It appears that each plot holder will also contribute to the cost of puting in roads and drains, estimated at another £24,000 This will provide the right to build a villa, with an estimated total cost of £211,000 excluding any swimming pool. This seems to be an exceptionally high price for such a remote location. Finance is promised, but as usual no details are given

E from Manchester is sceptical

"Ponta da Boca da Ribeira" and "Boca da Ponta" are situated on the coast north-east close to the Penoso mountain but there is nothing there. There is no development Turtle Beach in this area. Are you sure you have the correct location?"

M from Gloucs feels there are better opportunities eleswhere on Maio

"It is beautiful up there, but don't expect any neighbours for quite a few years...I would personally keep to the western populated areas, mainly Morro and Calheta.. "

Churchill Innovative Solutions a vendor of this estate no longer trades

Salinas Beach Resort (Salt pan)

Another Italian light opera at Mamma Mia prices. This will be a development located in front of Vila do Maio (Porto Ingles), on the disused salt pans down towards the pier.

A from Birmingham is optimistic about Maio now so remote

" I am looking at Maio as a long term investment and firmly believe that it will be good in the future, pehaps five years time. Six years ago when I bought in Spain I had to fly from Gatwick to Alicante and drive 200km. Now I can fly from my local airport to Almeria - the demand is now there. Things change as demand grows, be open minded and look to the future - don't wait until it all happens and then wish you had bought when the prices have doubled. You only have to look at what is happening on Sal, prices have increased since the direct flights started and I anticipate the same will now happen on Boa Vista."

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