In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Rent for 6 to 12 months in the area first.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Watch out for the English.....
B
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Remember that love is blind and that just because the Estate Agent speaks your language (English?), it doesn't mean that they will tell you the truth or that they can be trusted!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Noble;89334]Remember that love is blind and that just because the Estate Agent speaks your language (English?), it doesn't mean that they will tell you the truth or that they can be trusted![/quote]
Remember that love is blind and that just because the Estate Agent speaks Italian, it doesn't mean that they will tell you the truth or that they can be trusted either!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=deborahandricky;89315]What one piece of advice would you give people thinking about buying in Italy?
For my part, I would advise them to go and see the planning dept of there local commune before making the final decision.[/quote]
Italy is full, why not have a look at Uzbekistan?:laughs:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
NO, only joshing. My advice when buying here would be to do lots and lots of research BEFORE even looking at houses. I know that there seems to be so much advise, and sometimes this is conflicting. But you can never have enough info.
B
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Get 3 quotes for everything (regardless of whether they tell you this is very unItalian or not) and get recommendations from other people in the area- we saved ourselves a fortune & got a better standard of work from people who understand that foreigners can be strange but are worth doing a good job for 'cos you will get more work. ( we used a "project manager" for 1 part of a project then did the rest ourselves)
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
1) Start learning the language ASAP. Book a course and set study time.
2) Visit the area out of season. Some areas might seem great when full of people and the sun is shining. Check them when they are at there worst and things can only get better.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
travel around italy to understand which is the best area for you...
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Some good advice here NickZ has a point, try renting first including over winter to get the feel of the place etc and look around at the same time for your own property. Nothing too much lost if it doesn't work out!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=deborahandricky;89315]What one piece of advice would you give people thinking about buying in Italy?
For my part, I would advise them to go and see the planning dept of there local commune before making the final decision.[/quote]
Giving one piece of advice is impossible!!!
If i was going to give one it would be......don't underestimate the cost of any restoration!!!
Obviously you need to choose the right location and the right house........so I would say that after you see a house that you like........go back and see the village etc etc. Drive around.............at the very least......... Ideally ....yes...you come here and rent for a while.....but that isn't always possible.
Ask your agent if you can speak with satisfied customers. Ask them what their estimated restoration costs are based on. Ask them lots of questions eg........can we add on an extension, can we open up further this window, can we open up a new window here (if they say yes to everything...take a deep breath and a big pause!!).........ask them about change of use tax if the house has animal stalls or shops or whatever underneath. If water has to be connected.....ask for a fixed quote or better still, that the current owner does it but you pay the cost (but make sure that this includes having the pipes buried in accordance with the law).
I agree about getting 3 lots of quotes........but if the third is half that of the others........ask yourself why and get a lawyer to write the contract if dealing with a full restoration...........get him to check the viability of the company you are dealing with.......hmm.......am back to ....don't underestimate the costs of restoration. Oh.....and when you have to pay the builder..........pay him!!! Don't pay the Geometra or anyone else!!! Your contract is with the builder.......if he doesn't get that money.......you will have to pay again.
Probably more things to say.......but......it is late
Jo
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Don't sell up in UK yet, rent a property in Italy - there are plenty out there and spend at least one winter in Italy - If all is well - go buy. Sorry that seems like six bits of advice!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
:yes:All of the above
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Advice.?
Is this what you really want? an hoilday is always a totally different experience to living in a place fulltime.Don't go in with your eyes only half open.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=deborahandricky;89315]What one piece of advice would you give people thinking about buying in Italy?
For my part, I would advise them to go and see the planning dept of there local commune before making the final decision.[/quote]
1. learn the lingo
2. find Italian estate agent with representatives/partners in YOUR country/area
3. learn the lingo as it's often more possible than no.2
:bigergrin:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Italy_Man;90943]1. learn the lingo
2. find Italian estate agent with representatives/partners in YOUR country/area
3. learn the lingo as it's often more possible than no.2
:bigergrin:[/quote]
And nearly as important as number 1.....or was that number 3 ......
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=deborahandricky;90946]And nearly as important as number 1.....or was that number 3 ......[/quote]
:bigergrin::bigergrin::bigergrin:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Don't assume because you're English that you have to buy a big wreck in the countryside that needs extensive restoration!:bigergrin:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I love it, Sue!
When we told friends in England we were moving house in Italy, I began to acquire an almost apologetic tone when I explained repeatedly that, no, the property didn't require any work. I'm sure a few people didn't honestly believe us. And we only regained our credibility in others' eyes when we finally brought the builders in to do a bit of tidying up at the back! It certainly helped "bond" with a few new expat friends too.
Re question: winter rent and learn the language are imperative. Also, don't automatically think wreck or middle of nowhere location.
I would advise them to check things for themselves and not rely on advice on the forum because every situation is different and what happens for one person may not happen for others.
General advice is fine but, after all, a forum is nothing more than a meeting place and you wouldn’t pit your life’s investment in the hands of a bunch of people you met in the pub, would you?
Check everything, then check again and be prepared for lots of conflicting advice.