Property for Sale in Italy

Summary: This is an article for anyone thinking about buying property in Italy and who would like to know what to expect from the process and how to successfully find and secure their ideal Italian home.

Other than affordable rural farmhouses still in need of renovation in Tuscany and Umbria there’s an abundance of property for sale in Italy - from un-modernised rural retreats in Northern Italy to stunning, state of the art apartments in Italy’s main cities, or villa and golf properties for those seeking a holiday or retirement home abroad.

Despite the abundance of property that remains for sale in Italy and the fact that Italian house prices in most regions have tended not to become too highly priced or indeed unaffordable, those seeking property for sale in Italy often fall foul of the all too common traps and pitfalls associated with buying property abroad.  This is an article for anyone thinking about buying property in Italy and who would like to know what to expect from the process and how to successfully find and secure their ideal Italian home.

Firstly, those on a mission to find investment property abroad, a new home in Italy or a holiday home in the sun seem to think that they can spend a long weekend or just a week or two in Italy viewing properties, making their choice and closing the sale.  These ideas are ambitious to say the very least, and it is this haste that so many people apply to the process of finding an ideal home overseas that leads them into all sorts of trials and tribulations.

The best way to begin inspecting property for sale in Italy with a view to buying a new home is to relocate to Italy and rent a property.  From your new base you can take all the time you need to do the extensive research required to find the perfect property and secure the purchase.  Of course for those ‘only’ in search of an investment property or a home in which they will holiday occasionally, renting a property in Italy and beginning a full time search for properties for sale is not a practical option – this is where initial research and planning comes in which can and should be done before arranging to view any properties or even travelling to Italy in the first place.

Research can be done online, it can be done in the form of reading magazines and print publications about property in Italy, living and working in Italy and general guides to the various Italian regions.  Research should take the form of examining each region to find the one or ones that most suit the purchaser’s requirements and expectations of Italy, research should also be done into the types of property available in a given area, the average prices for property and the relative values and the general property buying process in Italy.

Forewarned is forearmed and those who do all they can to learn as much as possible about Italy, it’s regions, main types of property available and average property prices as well as the purchase process and additional costs and expenses likely to be incurred will be in the best position possible to make educated and wise choices when they begin viewing property for sale in Italy.

In terms of arranging viewings – those who do not speak Italian often approach agents in the country from which they originate or English speaking agents in Italy – not necessarily a bad approach, however in each town in each region there are local Italian private agencies who know all about the wealth of property for sale in the vicinity and who guard their listings carefully.  Often those in search of a real Italian property – as opposed to a brand new apartment or villa – will miss out on the best properties as they do not speak Italian or do not approach local agencies!  It’s difficult to know which agents can be trusted, which have the best listings and which ones to approach but those who take the best approach contact a wide range of agencies and if necessary use a translator to assist with their research.

By the time those seeking their ideal property in Italy come to arranging viewings they should have a fixed idea of their budget, region, preferred property type and other critical specifications such as the amount (if any) of restoration work they are willing to undertake.  By articulating and being extremely firm on all points with each estate agency contacted, buyers will save precious time by ruling out unsuitable properties before having to view them!

Anyone thinking about buying property in Italy that requires any form of renovation, remodelling or restoration work needs to know in advance that getting local builders to assist can be a time consuming and extremely expensive job!  Some who have already undertaken the labour of love involved in transforming their dream home into a palace in Italy suggest that those buying get quotes in from at least 3 builders before committing to purchase and that they double every single quotation to get a more realistic final price.  By having as good an idea as possible of what it will cost to get a given property up to standard before committing to purchase, a buyer will be in a better position to negotiate the purchase price.  Everyone haggles over the price of their property – and even if you think you’ve found your ideal home and that it is for sale at a bargain price hide your enthusiasm and begin bargaining!

Finally, before committing to buy a given property for sale in Italy time should be taken to consider, reconsider and re-evaluate the decision.  Taking time to make a decision of this size should be par for the course but all too often buyers are pressurised by time and external agents putting pressure on them to make a commitment.  Italy is not going to run out of homes for sale any time soon and if you don’t find what you’re looking for on your first visit do more research, get a better understanding of what you can and want to get for your budget and then try again.

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