2770 Property Expos

Can't say as have never attended one, preferred to find property myself as oppossed to be told what to want at an exhibition (I assume these are more about new builds) Hope someone else can be of more use, but good luck in your property search, I would advise that you cast the net nice and wide.:)

Dear Tutti

I wouldn't waste my time. I am currently trying to stop a company in Umbria from trading at the exhibition, as they are not licenced to carry out the work which they do. I have discovered there doesn't seem to be the sort of quality control you would expect of a large fair or exhibition.

It you go, do be careful when in the property village.

I hope this is helpful

There were three exhibitions last year, Dolce Vita - which was a good show and a huge focus on food - not on property. Obviously there were property companies there, but food and drink were in plentiful supply, lots of tastings and I thought quite good for a first show. Italy Magazine was there too.

Then there was Buon Gusto, which again focussed on food and drink, but not so good a show.

However the Viva Italia show in September had everything from Lamborghinis & Alfa Romeo, to food, wine, fashion, opera and it had a great buzz - very stylishly presented. The Italy Magazine was at Viva Italia, along with suppliers of holidays, the Italian Tourist Office, Book shops and of course estate agents. There was an art gallery, Italian theatre and cinema, plus free seminars.

Both Dolce Vita and Viva Italia were lifestyle shows, so just promoting everything great about Italy. I was helping at all the shows and had a stand at Viva Italia - really successful for us as well.

Depends what you are looking for, if you just fancy a great day out, trying food and wine and enjoying a little bit of Italy - then go. If you want to buy property, you'd be better to go through agents in the place you need - but you can always do a bit of research at the shows.

Before la Dolce Vita I think there is a big show in London (Olympia again?) concentrating solely on overseas property? I seem to recall it's towards the end of March. I've never attended one but have heard absolute horror stories from friends who've visited the French equivalent. Inflated prices, properties advertised with Brit-appeal that in reality are long sold, some agents only interested if you've got $$$ to spend. I don't know how much of this is true or hearsay but we've never gone that route and I'm not sure I'd want to. I would have thought potential buyers are better off identifying where they want to buy, renting a place for a few weeks in the area and then paying visits to the local agents. If you give yourself enough time and make a point of visiting out of season or at least outside UK school holidays when the agents are usually quieter, this is undoubtedly the best and most reliable way of discovering what's available on the market.

Although it's not just Italy theres one on at the Excel Centre in docklands London this month!

Thank you all for the info and impressions of these events. Sounds like they are great for "tasting" aspects of Italy and perhaps to check out some properties, without using them to replace any actual property search. The viva italia show sounds really nice and I will look into that one for Sept. -- any drawings to win a lamborghini??? that could perhaps cure the urge for property!