2645 dodgy agents

If they're not an agent they wouldn't stand much chance. If they are, only if you have signed an agreement but possibly if they have other evidence.
PM Charles Joseph he will advise.

Suggest you read some of the old threads on this forum about the potential trials and tribulations of house purchase in Italy. Personally would forget this property and look elsewhere if you feel any reservations! Good Luck whatever you decide to do but BEWARE!!

[U][B]Trust your instincts and walk away[/B][/U].

If they are agents they will prove it, assuming they want the sale!

Good luck!

I'd agree with all the above.....trust your instinct!

I'm not sure of the background to any of oyur search, but would state to anyone, you'd never act so recklessly inthe UK, so why do so in Italy. It's your money & [i]caveat emptor[/i] is as true now as when everyone spoke Latin!

No property is worth the grief & whilst you might be able to seek legal redress, it [b]will[/b] be slow, complicated, frustrating & ultimately not worth the blood, sweat & tears.

The real problem I have is that the sharks have shown me the best place within my budget I have seen since my search began and I really would like to go ahead. If I have to pay the rip off comission, sack the sharks and pay some one else in their stead then I would be prepared to go ahead. Suspect they may also have inflated the price to gain a cut. Would be a pity to miss out on this one.

There are lots of agents and lot's of properties, tread with caution and please read some of the previous threads on this forum.

I don't know what region you are thinking of but think seriously as truly there are still affordable properties for sale in Italy with legitimate agents. I should know as we are very much at the cheap cheap end of the market and are buying in Abruzzo, a beautiful little house with almost an acre (with olive tree's) yes it needs renovating but the views are breathtaking and we are delighted with it and the service we are recieving, and it is still very affordable. Please be careful.:)

[QUOTE=pilchard]The real problem I have is that the sharks have shown me the best place within my budget I have seen since my search began and I really would like to go ahead. If I have to pay the rip off comission, sack the sharks and pay some one else in their stead then I would be prepared to go ahead. Suspect they may also have inflated the price to gain a cut. Would be a pity to miss out on this one.[/QUOTE]

If you like the property continue working with the Shark. Just don't give him any money. I swim with Sharks and sometimes come out way ahead even if the Shark made a couple of dollars. Don't forget the Sharks have to eat also.

your problem isnt really that the person you are dealing with is less than open ... its more the fact if you sign anything or actually pay money you have very little knowledge or guarantee that what you are paying for or signing for is actually the property in its entirety or that whoever.. claims to be selling it is actually the owner... many houses here have several owners...some untraceable and no one can sell the whole property... its this sort of thing that can go wrong.... or even you can pay over all the money at the notary office and the sale never registered ...its not only house sellers/agents/geometras that can be less than honest...

however there are times when things do work out ...but it sounds to me like you are pretty well stumbling around in the dark... and god knows what you are going to fall over....

as for atempting to circumvent people that regard the sale of the property as theres... you tread on dangerous ground ...maybe not legally ... you are the foreigner they are the locals... it all just sounds too complicated..

I have to agree with all that has been said in reply to your original post. Let's face it, we generally have a low regard for Estate Agents. although many are honest and decent. This one sounds decidedly iffy and whatever you do, sign nothing and do not hand over any cash. If there are nrighbours near to the property it might be worth knocking on their door to see what they know (provided the agent doesn't answer the door of course!)

You might find looking at this web link useful and if you're lucky you might find your mysterious agent!

[url]http://www.fiaip.com/[/url]

[quote=Russ]You might find looking at this web link useful and if you're lucky you might find your mysterious agent!

[URL="http://www.fiaip.com/"]http://www.fiaip.com/[/URL][/quote]

I think its [URL="http://www.fiaip.it"]www.fiaip.it[/URL]

[quote=brendangfc]
Quote:
Originally Posted by [B]Russ[/B]
[I]You might find looking at this web link useful and if you're lucky you might find your mysterious agent!

[URL="http://www.fiaip.com/"]http://www.fiaip.com/[/URL][/I]

I think its [URL="http://www.fiaip.it/"][COLOR=#003300][URL="http://www.fiaip.it"]www.fiaip.it[/COLOR][/URL][/URL][/quote]
Actually it is that clever Internet stuff where both work and both are right :cool:

[quote=pilchard]I have been shown a property that interests me by someone who has been unable to demonstrate, so far, that he is a registered Ag. Imm. I have seen no office, headed notepaper or business card. He appears a bit shadey & shark-like & claims that he takes double the normal commission from the purchaser as he takes nothing from the vendor. I feel he is not to be trusted. The equally shadey & shark-like person, also lacking credentials, that introduced me to him has made a point of being present at all times and ensuring that contact can only be made via himself ----- presumably to protect his slice of the action.
Under the circumstances I feel I should attempt to contact the owner myself. Is this to be recommended? What are the pit-falls & warnings? Can I be sued by the sharks?[/quote]

I guess you have seen my post and the rest of this thread.

[URL="http://italymag.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=21537#post21537"]http://italymag.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=21537#post21537[/URL]