Re: Portugal Investment
To say that property prices in Portugal are unlikely to track those in Spain is a nonsense; the two markets have tended to rise and fall at the same time historically and are doing so today.
Prices in Portugal, as in Spain, are dropping and bargains are to be had in the resale market. Few bargains however are to be found off plan, and if you bought off plan on the silver coast you are probably facing a bit of negative equity if you complete. This will of course depend on how much you paid in the first place.
The Portugese property along the south coast is more popular with foreigners than further north, primarily because of better winter weather. Spain has the same divide; the warmer areas around the Costa del Sol and Costa Calida are more attractive to retirees and seekers of winter sunshine.
Regardless of what the estate agents tell you, the Mediterranean has warmer weather off season than the Atlantic. The market on the Silver coast is more specialised than the Algarve, with a mostly local (and consequently smaller) customer base.
If I were in your shoes and the deposit was small I would be tempted to walk; if you bought at a good price at the time compared to present levels I might take the hit and hang on for a few years. The decider would be whether I liked the area and was going to get a lot of use from the property myself.