Housebuying

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 My tip would be - don't forget the extra 15% - 20% that's needed to cover fees, taxes etc   [I didn't realise that the buyer also pays the estate agent a fee - caught me quite by surprise]

 YyYou are very tight on budget at 90K for anything around Lake Trasimeno - (talking habitable). Maybe a (quite nice) 1 bed apartment in Castiglione, Tuoro, Passignano - but with minimal terrace/balcony space, and realistically this means no outside space. Don't imagine that you (as, I assume, a Brit) can cope without a privatish garden. Setting your plastic patio chairs out on the road front just does not cut it.  Rental - you can get for less than 500Euro per month (close to lake Trasimeno) something quite nice, with a private garden - even fenced so you could keep a dog. I would certainly recommend renting, but only if you have an open mind about where you might like to settle! Some of the best rental deals concern properties dreamingly destined as 'holiday lets' - so you might even get a pool included. Nothing is selling at the moment, and I don't see anything to persuade me that this is temporary - so if you have a huge urge to experiment with living in Italy I think that it is a complete no-brainer to rent. Do not be persuaded that renting means a four year contract - there are deals to be done, completely legally; you do not want nor need 'tenant protection' - (though this is a good thing for some people) - but as a taster for living in Italy you are in a position to become a dream tenant. Go for it! Explore not only Trasimeno (argubaly overpriced) - also the hilly bits of Lazio.

 I agree with Fllide's comments. We always go to the area although our home is a bit further north (Lucca). Prices are fairly high as it is popular with Italians, Dutch and German people. Renting also sounds as a sensible proposition so that you can get the "feeling" f the area.

 You might find it well worth doing a 'search' of the old forum 'Property Sales and Rental Advice Threads http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/7/property-sales-rental-advice?pp=20&daysprune=-1 I think you'll find some good advice there, once you start digging into it

I'm trying to sell my house in Northern Ireland at the minute (not a good time) so that I can live in Italy in retirement. If I sell the house, I'll have enough to buy a property meeting my needs in Umbria, but I wouldn't dream of buying immediately I move to Italy. I'd hope to rent for a year, find out if I really do want to live the dolce vita as much as I think I do, and find a permanent home that really, really suits me for forever afterwards. I understand that if you're not already retired, you'll probably want to own a property in Italy before you move, so there's less hassle when the time comes, but spending your savings on the basis of a few visits seems like a big risk to me.

 I can only agree what`s already been said about renting.If you buy an appartment and find out it`s not the place for you,then you have the problem of selling and finding another place. We moved to Umbria (near Trasimeno) with the intention of buying after we found the right place but we like where we are and are still renting after three years (piano piano) There are a few places here for around the budget you have but as has been said,not many with outside space. Anyway,happy hunting