| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What problems might I encounter when buying in Italy ?
If you are looking to buy independently, and do not know the Italian language well, you are may encounter -or inadvertently create - a number of problems and difficulties. Usually these difficulties will be misunderstandings, which nevertheless, could turn out to be costly. Occasionally, there may be issues that the vendor has not fully informed the agency about and which, as a result, might give cause for some legal problems that take time to resolve. Not knowing the language or country well enough could make you vulnerable to some of these difficulties and so it is worthwhile using the services of a facilitator and mediator such as VFS.
What is the bear-bones procedure for buying in Italy?
There is no simple answer to this because Italy is a complex place. However, finding a property and making an offer through an agent will be the first step. Next you will need to make a down payment and sign a legal contract committing both you and the vendor to the sale. After a stated period you pay the final balance at a lawyers office and the owner signs the property over to you. See Purchase Procedure for more details.
What are the principle issues to do with a property that one should look out for?
As with buying in any country, you need to satisfy yourself that there are no outstanding debts or financial charges (mortgages etc) on the property and also assure yourself of its structural integrity. The former can be done through your legal representative who will produce documents attesting to the financial liberty of the property. For the structural integrity, if you are buying a ruin for restoration then you will probably not need a professional report. However, in all other cases it is probably a good idea to get some sort of professional report on the condition of the building. VSI can help in both of these areas.
Are Italians easy to deal with?
Yes and sometimes no. Italians are extremely generous as a nation and will go out of their way to help visitors. They are generally charmed by foreigners and love speaking English (or displaying their skills, sadly often non-existent). But at times Italians also suffer from an inexplicable affliction which renders them incapable of doing anything the simple way. You will soon realise this when driving around trying to read sign posts or get on and off a motorway. Ordering a coffee other than a "café" - a simple, trauma-free task in most countries - requires encyclopaedic knowledge of all the different ways of making a coffee.
And the quickest way to get a local government official to do something is not to let him know you are in a hurry. Bureaucracy in Italy can be bothersome and if the language is not yet a strength, it can become frustrating. Once you have made some headway with language and custom though, things become much easier.
But these are minor inconveniences compared to the bountiful beauty of this country and its people and history. They soon become invisible in this vibrant nation. What if I buy and I don't like it in Italy , can I sell up quickly?
Yes, you can sell up quickly anywhere if the price is right. But more to the point, the market in Italy is vigorous because there is a great shortage of habitable property and also a shortage of flat land to build on. That is the reason why buying a property to renovate is an excellent investment in Italy . By renovation you will have created a habitable house for sale, something which Italians would prefer not to do themselves.
To get more of an idea about all the factors involved in buying in Italy, you should read the information on Purchase Procedure, Terms and Policy; our Service; and Travel & Accommodation |
