Lisa C.'s activity

Do you have any friends who know the property owner that could speak directly with him/her?  This is what we have done with several properties we were potentially interested in Le Marche.  We have befriended the family whose agriturismo we like to stay at in southern Marche and on several occasions either our friend or his father took us to speak with the owner.  In our case, my husband is fluent in Italian, so language is not a barrier, but in yours, your friend could help in the translation.  I think it is always preferable to speak directly with the owner rather than write a letter.  I don't know how you'd fare having the geometra approach them.   

Can anyone tell me how this ruling affects dual citizens?  We are American citizens currently living in the USA  who recently got our Italian citizenship.  We are registered in A.I.R.E.  We plan on retiring to Italy in about 5 years and live there full-time.  In the meantime, we may purchase a house when we find what we are looking for.  If we claim prima casa, how would this affect us?

Thanks very much Anne.  Although I'm not a fellow Marchigiani yet, we hope to be within the next 5 years.  We're always looking for new things to do when we visit and the site does have some interesting articles.

Yes, I do, Chris.  If you send me an e-mail, I'll fill you in.

The title is "Blue Guide The Marche and San Marino" by Ellen Grady, Somerset Books, London.  The edition I have was published in 2006.  I think it's a pretty good guidebook.

I haven't been to either of these places but the Blue Guide I have recommended the following.  Here are the descriptions: L'Enoteca Bar e Vino - This friendly wine bar and restaurant was an old church. Excellent salami and cheeses including sheep's milk cheese from Cartoceto cured in walnut leaves.  Rabbit or chicken, prepared in various ways, or fish, local wines.  Closed Mondays.  2 Via Mazzini T: 0734 228667  (This is probably the place Penny recommended) Da Orsolina - Fantastic little restaurant specializing in pasta dishes, including the famour vincigrassi; in summer you eat on the veranda.  Closed Sundays. 5 Piazza Dante T: 0734 225563 And for dessert - Caffe Alimento - busy popular cafe.  Try the homemade ice cream or their unique cake torta tartaruga.  56 Piazza del Popolo   Enjoy!  I'm so jealous you'll be there soon.  Fermo is one of my favorite cities.                        

Thanks everyone for all of the information you have provided which is very helpful.  As has been stated, we know that now is not the time to be buying euros.  We just want to have all of our research done so that when the time is right, we will have everything in place to get started.

Thanks for the explanation SteveO.  I will go on-line and check out the currency trader and try to ascertain if they are insured so that we would be protected in the event that they go bankrupt like the other currency trader being discussed on the Forum. Another solution could be to set up an bank account such as UBS that has euro-denominated accounts.  We could transfer funds from our bank to the currency trader and then have them wire money into the UBS account, to hold until we need it.  I did inquire about an account with them and there is an annual fee of I believe $150.00 US and they give a small amount of interest - .25% last time I checked.  I need to find out if UBS has fees to wire funds to Italy.  Will keep you posted.

Thanks SteveO, So that I'm clear, are you planning on using Citibank for parking euros?  I wasn't sure of what the connection is.  You mentioned having your bank wire funds to Citibank and then purchase with Currencies On-line and have them wire the money to Italy.  I wasn't sure why you were using Citibank.  I was also surprised that you mentioned there were no fees as some years back I had contacted I believe Currencies On-Line and thought there were fees to wire money. Thanks very much for the advice!

Thanks Karen, Looks like we're spoiled for choice!