1809 Surveyors in Abruzzo and independent views

[QUOTE=S Ras]Being new to this forum I've read a number of threads with interest.

I have recently found a property in Abruzzo I like near Capestrano and have agreed a price with the purchaser through an agent.

I was happy with the price but I have found the declared value to be less than 20% of what I'm paying. I understand values are usually lower and this is not really a problem but are they usually this low?

I would like to ask a surveyor to look at the property and give me a completely independent view (therefore not a surveyor arranged by the agent). I noticed on a previous thread a poster found their survey in Abruzzo to be not much use. Can anyone recommend a good surveyor near Capestrano/Sulmona? English speaking would be preferable but I can speak reasonably good Italian.

Also, should I be worried I am overpaying for this property? I am happy with the price but the declared value being so low is giving me a few doubts.

Finally, is an agent's fee of 4.5% standard or thereabouts?

I'd appreciate any advice/recommendations.[/QUOTE]
i'm afraid i can't help you for a local geometra although it shouldn't be difficult to find one ask people around,go in the bar,speak to someone in the comune usually the technical person for buildings is a geometra.As far as the declared price is concerned (as x the many threads on the forum on this) it is not unusual to have a declared price largely inferior to the actual price to pay whilst the agents fees are in the norm ( see threads on this) of between 3% -6%)

send me a pm an I'll provie you contact details of a good English speaking architect.

hi and welcome to the survey and Abruzzo ..our house is in Manoppello!

Our agents offered a survey by a geometra for 250euros or a full engineering survey for 500 euros.

Our main problem was the translation the geometra had done was pretty awful and I had to get back to the agents to clarify things.They did get onto it straight away and the geometra went back to the house to double check on things that were not clear and I was emailed later the same day.I also went back to the house with the geometra before signing anything to go through the survey and double check on everything.

I have the feeling that in Italy you may not get a survey that you do in UK unless you do a lot of homework to find a really good geometra.You may find an independant surveyor is no better than your agent's.if your Italian isnt great you are then going to have one hell of a headache if you cannot understand the survey!I suggest you get them to give you the Italian version and get it Transtated in the UK.

Good luck Becky

Hi S Ras, if you are still looking for a survayer send me a pm,

Just joined the forum and noticed you were buying a house near Capestrano - I bought one in the village 18months ago so you might like to get in touch with me.
Pamela