Translators are Invaluable When Buying Property in Italy

How a translator can make buying a property in Italy a straightforward and stress-free experience, and the ways in which they can assist you

It can be daunting enough buying a property in your local country, but not understanding the local language and what is going on around you can simply add to the stress when you buy a home abroad. 

Having a translator or interpreter on hand throughout the purchasing stages is an efficient way of taking off some of this pressure as well as saving you precious time.  In the long-term, an interpreter can save you money too, and when it comes to buying a home in Italy, for those with little or no knowledge of the Italian language, a translator can prove indispensible. 

In this article we’ll show you how translators are invaluable when buying property in Italy, and we’ll look at the ways a translator can be beneficial to you if you’re about to embark on a home purchase or even a renovation project in Italy – the advice contained herein has been supplied by our resident Italian property expert, Alison Harris.

A translator can assist you from the very first stage of the buying process, starting by liaising with the local property agents who often speak very little English.  The translator can clearly establish from the outset your criteria and requirements, so as to avoid you wasting time and effort viewing or discussing unsuitable properties.  You can use them to accompany you to the viewings and to channel all your questions and queries directly to the agent on location.

In addition to acting as your voice, by speaking direct to contractors, agents, notaries, banks, local surveyors, councils and any other entities involved in your purchase, an interpreter can assist you with the translation of all your documents too.  It goes without saying that keeping a complete paper trail throughout the purchasing process is vital, but this is almost pointless if you cannot understand what each document says or represents! 

The translator can ensure you have a comprehensive summary and/or translation of each and every document relating to your purchase.  This really is essential, since buying property in Italy involves a myriad of paperwork.

Once the purchase process is complete and if your property requires any renovation work, landscaping or decorating, the translator can again be a valuable asset with their language skills, by helping you with anything from choosing and buying floor tiles and bathroom appliances, to liaising with gardeners, builders, architects, and energy suppliers, or even by introducing you to your new neighbours and helping you find out about the area.

Getting support with the language is one thing, but the real key is finding a translator or interpreter with local knowledge or an understanding of how the purchasing process operates, someone who can provide advice and act as facilitator throughout the whole process.  Even better still, enlist the help of a Project Manager who speaks Italian and English and who can oversee everything from start to finish, and whose services are particularly valuable when dealing with a complicated and lengthy renovation project for example.

Once your purchase is complete, the translator can continue to assist with day to day housekeeping matters such as any verbal or written correspondence with utility companies, local councils, gardeners or anything else that requires your attention.  With their help you will find that the process of buying, owning, decorating or renovating a home in Italy is far more straightforward and even stress free.

Alison Harris grew up in Rome, is bilingual and has 20 years’ experience of renting her own property in Tuscany.  After training as a commercial lawyer and practicing in both Milan and London, Alison now runs a property consultancy offering project management and translation services throughout Italy.  Her contact details are: -

Email:
UK Mobile: (0044) 07515 735 656
Italian mobile: (0039) 331 2410110
Skype ID: alison.harris75

Other articles on Shelter Offshore with expert advice from Alison include: -

Realities of Obtaining an Italian Mortgage: Case Study
Using a Project Manager to Help You Buy/Renovate Property in Italy
Expert Advice for Letting Your Italian Property