Puglia and Sicily top the chart for second homes

The geography of Italian second homes is changing, according to a recent survey by Italian property portal Immobiliare.it.
Despite the economic downturn, the portal has thus far recorded a healthy demand for second homes by the seaside. However, buyers are avoiding established, expensive destinations in favour of more affordable newcomers.
Puglia in particular has seen a surge in interest, especially in the Gargano and Salento areas, where demand has risen by 17% and 13% respectively over 2008.
Sicily follows suit, with increases to the tune of 9-11% for homes along the Eastern coast from Messina to Siracusa.
By contrast, traditionally sought-after destinations such as Liguria’s Cinque Terre and Sardinia’s Emerald Coast have seen a slight contraction in requests, which are down 5% and 4% respectively (although other studies show that both Sardinia and Liguria remain extremely popular for second home rentals).
“Price and demand trends reflect a new interest for areas that until now were less known among buyers,” says Carlo Giordano, managing Director of Immobiliare.it. “Conversely, the drop in Liguria and Sardinia is linked to an adjustment of what in previous years had been an excessive rise.”
A quick look at prices supports this view—a second home in Liguria’s Cinque Terre can easily reach €5,170 per square metre, against €1,570 in Puglia’s Gargano, €1,950 in the Salento and €2,520 along Sicily’s Eastern Coast.
Italy’s cheapest destination is the Metaponto area in Basilicata, at €1,410 per square metre. Everywhere else lies in between Metaponto and le Cinque Terre—from €1,600 of Calabria’s Costa Viola to €2,710 for Le Marche’s Riviera del Conero, from €2,970 for the Romagna Riviera to €3,850 for the Tuscan one.
For all locations, buyers are principally urban families looking for a comfortable place where children can spend their entire summer.