Country house on an island with sea view

A quiet wooden beach house on Portugal's south coast has hit the market for 1.4 million euros ($1.48 million). The villa, to be built in 2019, is made from Nordic thermo-wood, a heat-treated material that is eco-friendly, sustainable and provides better insulation and durability.

"Not only is the property itself unique, but its location is also very special," said Hannah Wood of Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices' Portugal office, which put the home on the market earlier this month. It is located on the island of Armona, a short ferry or water cab ride from the mainland town of Olhao in the Algarve region. "This small island is a true paradise, there are no cars on the island and you can't be closer to the sea than with this water house," Wood said. "The property itself is the only one of its kind on the island and really stands out. It's beautiful how it blends its natural beauty with the landscaped grounds.

The home features an open living room, kitchen and dining area, a floating staircase and three bedrooms, two on the main floor and one upstairs, "with stunning views," according to the listing. Outside, the deck has a gazebo, barbecue and hot tub, surrounded by sand dunes, the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve and beaches.

Mansion Global was unable to determine who is selling the home. The Algarve, Portugal's southernmost region known for its beaches and golf resorts, is one of the country's real estate price hotspots, according to a recent report by research firm Property Market-Index. Nationwide, prices have risen an average of 6.5% over the past 12 months. But in the Algarve they rose to 15% over the same period.