Buying A House In Italy

Buying a house in Italy might look initially like a nightmare, full of strange terms and odd requirements, and yet it is actually quite simple and straightforward .

The same is true of finding selections of properties to choose from. There’s really only one golden rule when property buying in Italy and that is Don’t Do It On Your Own. Find a trusting estate agent to effortlessly guide you through the process. This applies to all foreign buyers, no matter how good their Italian is.

Now let’s take a look at how to go about locating the kind of property you have set your heart on, and then explain the property buying process in Italy , which can often be radically different from what you are use to.

There are really three key questions you need to decide on before starting your property search :

• What is my budget ? - Your budget should be your number one consideration. Whether you are buying outright for cash, or using a loan, you need to plan carefully with regard to how much money you can either tie up for a medium to long term investment and/or how much you can realistically afford to repay on a loan each month .

  In addition, make sure you allow for the extra costs involved in property purchase in Italy , as well as for ongoing costs related to your Italian property .




• What do I want to buy ? - This will be heavily influenced by your budget. There’s no point setting your mind on a castle if you can only afford a studio apartment . Nevertheless, it is important to consider what you want to buy not only with your budget, but also with where you decide to buy. Perhaps an up and coming area can offer more for your money. Aim to strike a balance.




• Where do I want to buy ? - Do not just follow the crowd, make sure you think like an investor. This can help both to get more for your money and to discover the area you really love and appreciate.

These three key factors are, of course, interconnected. Your budget and what you want for it may well determine where you decide to look.

Buying a House in Italy: Glossary of Key Terms

Here are some of the key terms you will come across when buying a house in Italy:

• Agente immobiliare - Estate agent
• Assicurazione vita - Life insurance
• Assegno - Cheque
• Assegno circolare - Banker’s draft
• Acconto/deposito - Deposit
• Compromesso di vendita - Preliminary contract
• Dichiarato in atto - Declared value
• Geometra - Local surveyor
• IVA - Sales tax (VAT)
• Notaio - Notary
• Perizia - Survey
• Planimetria - Plans of the property
• Rogito - Purchase Deed
• Spese di gestione amministrativa - Admin costs
• Spese notarili - Notary’s fees

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