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Moving to Portugal is an exciting step, but you are completely right—the D7 visa loop can feel like a "chicken-and-egg" problem. You do not need a visa to secure a property; you actually secure the property first from abroad using a Portuguese Tax Number (NIF) to satisfy the D7 application requirement.

You must show proof of long-term accommodation when you submit your D7 paperwork to the Portuguese consulate in the United States. This means you will need to sign a lease or buy property before your visa is officially approved.

1. Get a Portuguese NIF (Tax Number): You can easily obtain this remotely through proxy services or legal entities while you are still in North Carolina.

1. Open a Portuguese Bank Account: With your NIF and your US passport, you can open an account remotely or during a scouting trip. You will need to fund this account with at least one year's worth of the minimum living requirement to show the consulate.

1. Secure a 12-Month Registered Lease: Short-term tourist rentals or Airbnbs will cause the consulate to deny your application. You need a formal 12-month lease registered with the Portuguese tax authority (Finanças).

You do not want to rush into buying a property, so it is best that you rent first and then you can choose the right property and area for you. So  because this is a financial risk if your visa gets delayed, I would suggest to hire a  cross-border lawyer to negotiate a "visa denial clause" into the lease, allowing you to cancel the contract if your visa is rejected.

Have a read of this Thread:

Cheap 12-month rental agreement as proof of accommodation

Thank you so much SimCityAT! Your information is very helpful.