8746 Bardi / Borgotaro

Welcome to the forum and the best of luck.

One bit of advice I can give, is to make an early start on the language, slowly but surely, it will pay dividends and help the move go a lot more smoothly than without it.

Best of luck with your plans

Keep looking you'll know the right place when you see it and Italians are very understanding about language and only too pleased that you are having a bash, carry a small dictionary wherever you go at first. When you have found your dream don't forget to get a good lawyer ( An Italian lawyer working in England is in my opinion the ideal - not cheap!)

Welcome to the Forum, Lisa and Paul. The region you are considering is very beautiful and you are in the best position to buy something there as you already have relatives living in the area. We had a look around some time ago, but then.... we fell in love with Bagni di Lucca, further south.... and.... Anyway, as far as prices are concerned, you are only going to find something to renovate for that sort of money. Restoring a building in Italy is not an easy task, but it is a wonderful challenge. Just make sure that you are prepared for it.
Best luck in your endeavours.

We have been to Borgatoro a few time as our friend own two houses there, one just half hour out of town and the other in the town itself. Of course they bought them for a song 7years ago and they both needed complete renovation which has been a struggle for them. But the area is absolutely beautiful and the town itself is quite pretty and well set up for tourists (very good tourist office there).

Dont know too much about prices there but i would agree with others, in that area you would need to have a knowledge of th italian language.

Good luck

Hello Wannabe,
As I've mentioned in other messages to people like yourselves looking to come and live here in Italy. "Do as you would in England" Trust no one, you wouldn't trust a estate agent in Engand and just because a italian seems friendily by buying you a coffee doesn't mean he doesn't want to rip you off.
"Yes" the language is the key, but also abit of character is needed with common sense. If it sound too good to be true then it isn't.
Your parents are already here so they are the one's to start the process for you. Hopefully they know the langauge and have the right friends to put you in contact, I would suggest directly with owners of properties and not the money grabbing agents.
Remember agents fee's of 3% on 70k is still 2100 euros for nothing more than a few trips with you to look at houses. Thats alot of cost per litre.
When you find the property get a survey done by a professional not associated with the seller or agent of the seller. Remember this is a earthquake hit country and the restoration has to meet anti-sismec regs.
If you want a figure for the restoration cost look about 150k for a 200sq metre house. Thats roughly 750 per metre. That doesn't include all the fitting as as bathroom, flooring or kitchen units.

Good luck. You will need it if you dont speak the language or dont employ an experienced bilingual project manager.
Realistically you must look at 800 Euros per square meter for a builders finish and up to 1500 Euros to finish a project. Also the prices they quote is always plus IVA which is 10% for a renovation of an old house but if its a new build then it can be as low as 4%.
Use an Engineer or good Architect and always get a fixed price in writing stating exactly what his duties and responsibilities are. Do not accept a % fee of the total work. If he wont do this then find someone else.
Always negotiate too.
Good Luck
Lulu
TurnkeyItalia
[url=http://www.turnkeyitalia.com]index[/url]

Hi I own a place in Berceto just down the valley towards Parma- bought a restoration project! Currently repairing the roof and have an italian speaking and registered, local house owning english builder -now living in Berceto forever. he has learnt the local systems- lots of local friends in the building trade. would be worth talking to if you find somewhere you are serious about- at least for a quote healthcheck. he may also know of somewhere for sale near borgotaro- doesnt get to Bardi much. send me a pm for more info.

Hi folks,

Thanks for all the great info. We've started on an Italian language course, albeit a self-help at home jobby.

Our latest trip to Italy revealed a beautiful home to purchase over the river from Varsi, south-facing, 500km above sea-level.

Luckily, there's no restoration involved, just some decor, and I think we can manage that, although later in the decade we may want to turn the house upside down back the way it was, kitchen, lounge etc upstairs and bedrooms downstairs. That will require a little work.

We went today to see a gentleman called Massimo at Giambrione and Law as suggested by ItalyMag and found them to be extremely knowledgable and efficient even just after a few hours. We have appointed them at a fixed cost of 1,500 euros, probably just for peace of mind, but we think it necessary for us.

Yes, we're paying 3% fee to the eastate agent. That's a killer, but a must. I also don't mind paying the 11% land tax (apparently we'll have some bosci somewhere - yet to be investigated) to the Italian authorities, if it means they'll let us stay there rather than here in such a pleasant relaxing environment.

Yes I've fallen in love with the area, and hope to settle nicely some day.

Berceto is that turn off before Borgo, before Fornovo where we turn for Varsi / Bardi. I know it well. We visited friends in Borgo on Sunday, and I still say there's better weather in the Val Ceno than the Val Taro. I believe there's a big rivalry thing, "our valley's better than yours" kinda thing. Am so looking forward to being there as much as possible.

Will keep you updated. Again, any advice / info / chat is more than welcome. Will pop back again here soon.

Ciao for now.
Lisa and Paul. x

Hi again,

Well, we put our offer in last week for the place near Varsi. We had to deliberate carefully especially with the offer being so contractually binding as it is.

The pound/euro thing hasn't helped at all. We've managed to exchange all the sterling we had for quite a good rate, but will need to change more in July. I just hope things improve a little for then!

We've had a couple of PMs from you guys, which has been nice. This site is very useful.

Ciao. x

Remember that the 11% tax will be paid only on the cadastral value of the property, which would be much less than the price you are paying. Best wishes with the purchase.

Thanks. I think it's also 18%, and I know some land is valued at €0.03!!!!! We've asked our estate agent to get the complete price from the Notaio.... which reminds me, I must chase for that.

I expect you already know this, but others might be intrigued to learn that your chosen location is an important area for past emigration from Italy into Britain - not least into Wales where a local association keeps up the link: [url=http://www.amicivalcenogalles.com/]Amici Val Ceno Galles[/url]