casa del campanile's activity

Thanks Steve for your kind words regarding our “bittersweet farewell.” We will have some great memories thanks to all of you. One of the “responsibilities” demanding our attention is the renovation of the “Sand Castle” in the mountains above the desert which was owned by an actor, Denny Miller, who played Tarzan in the1959 movie “Tarzan."He was also a featured actor in the old TV western series “Wagon Train.” And, for the US sports fans, he played basketball at UCLA under John Wooden before he was “discovered” by a Hollywood agent. Interesting house and a “fun” project." Fred

As our responsibilities back in the US have reached a point where we can no longer spend 6 months a year here, we reluctantly have placed our Varano property on the market. The bitter part is leaving behind all the friends and acquaintances we have enjoyed over the past 11 years.The sweet part is all the memories we have from our "Italian Adventure," in part thanks to this forum. The information available here is invaluable to anyone considering an “Italian Adventure.”We would like to thank all who have contributed to this forum as much of it has been helpful.Thanks again and best wishes to all for as great an "Italian Adventure" as we have enjoyed.Ciao for now,Marianne and Fred BernadottiCasa del CampanileIf anyone is interested, the property is listed with Lunigiana 2000.http://www.lunigiana2000.com/indeu.php?lang=ita      #602 

Johnny M.,thanks for the reminder regarding Fivizzano’s proximity to beach areas. After 35+ years living on the California coast and in Hawaii, one tends to forget the attraction of the “beach scene” to the general populace. Last year we had visitors from the US who spent the first week taking the train daily from Aulla to Monterosso so they could swim in the Med, etc.Fred

You might have a look at Fivizzano and environs in Lunigiana. It is 30-40 minutes from the autostrada at Aulla on a well maintained “highway.”  About 1.5 hour drive from Pisa airport. It is a fortress city, historical, good medical facilities including a hospital, etc., a train depot in another village a few miles away, good bus service, a number of restaurants, bars, including Elvetica which hosts the English book library, Oxfam English library and store, active Expat community, small “supermarket,” gas station, a pharmacy, bank, and a number of small shops. An ideal location for someone who wants to be out of the tourist traffic, yet not too far from "civilization."  Had we been able to find a suitable property when we were looking, we would have bought in Fivizzano. They also have an extensive market in the square every Tuesday, I think.  There is a wide range of properties; from city apts. to town houses, to detached houses with small land areas just outside town, and some estate type properties with vineyards, boscos, etc. in the general area.  Check out properties at Lunigiana2000.comIt is just below the mountain range that has a fairly good ski resort. Not sure of winter snowfall ,in town, if any, or temps. Maybe someone from there might weigh in on that subject.Good luck, 

Modicasa,Thank you for your obviously well informed input. The exercise is not necessarily focused on reducing costs of property acquisition, however there is considerable lessening of costs on the US side. As an example, a bank appraised property at $300,000.00 sold through the regular process would break down thusly: Sales commission $18,000.00, Transfer Tax $3,300. escrow fees $600.00 and Title Insurance $3,000.00, plus a few other minor expenses for a total of call it $25,000.00 which leaves $275,000.00 for purchase of another property. If the “target property” is situated in another country there also will be currency exchange fees.Contrast that with an exchange proposition wherein there is no sales agent involved on the US side. We have a bank appraised property at $300,000.00. We execute a notarized Grant Deed and present that to a Seller of an Italian property as payment. Our US costs are $3,300.00 Transfer Tax, and $10.00 recording fee for the Grant Deed.Would the Italian Notary fees be higher than a regular purchase process? Is the US Bank appraisal of value sufficient for the purposes of the Notary assessing his fees, etc? All that is necessary in the US is for us to record the Grant Deed in the county where the property is situated with the name of the new owner and voila’, the property has a new, legal, and recorded owner.Having been through a number foreign transactions  (Austria, Germany, and Italy) over the past 40 years, I am well aware of the differences in processes and laws that exist between the US and other countries, however I should think that there would be number of UK folks who, for whatever reason, wish to sell their Italian property and would be appreciative of an opportunity to exchange it for a US property that could be income producing and/or a good winter vacation place. Given the reciprocal 6 month length of stay agreement between the  US and UK, it can be an advantageous situation.I think this is probably a little deeper into the weeds than originally intended, so thanks again for your input.Fred

It is certainly not usual to offer an Exchange of properties, most people when they sell want money – it is certainly more complicated if they are offered another property on the other side of the world. It will also be a method that offers less security to the seller or exchanger as the Italian law will not be written to take into consideration  such situations.Certainly it will be a lot easier for your friend to sell the property in the U.S. and then with the money from the sale come to Italy and buy another property. An exchange seems to be asking for problems even if it does solve some tax problems.Best regards,,Conor  - See more at: http://www.italymagazine.com/post/am-exploring-possibility#sthash.D3Dw5MLm.dpufConor,thanks for your input. As a California Real Estate Broker for close to 30 years, I was involved in many exchange transactions, some very complicated, however none involving international properties, hence my query to the forum. I do not want to get too deeply into the weeds, however yes, ideally one sells an investment property, sometimes to a third party and uses the proceeds to purchase another “like kind” investment property in order to take advantage of the “1031 Tax Deferred Exchange” provisions of the US Tax Code. In some markets, where real estate sales are slow, some sellers are more open to exchange possibilities to be able to get their property sold.Sometimes the property exchanged for is in a more active real estate market and can be sold more easily. In most cases, as we are dealing with investment properties, the property exchanged for is an income producer so there a positive economic result until such time as the property can be sold. Also, in the case of direct exchanges sans agents, the commission costs are substantially reduced or in many instances, eliminated. There are also savings regarding money exchange fees, escrow fees and other costs.So, all in all, both parties can benefit from direct exchanges involving investment properties, especially when one party really wants to divest and is in a slow market.Fred

Thanks for your response. We are looking at several possibilities as we have a potential "exchanger" in California wanting an Italian property near us. Have briefly looked at some sites explaining Italian internal process, however have not seen anything yet that describes process between two countries, one of which is non-EU. Have just started research on the subject. Part of the exercise is to determine if the exchange would qualify the US exchanger for a "1031 Tax Deferred Exchange" in the US tax code. Have some work to do to see if there is any viability to the exercise.Fred

If you are non-EU, check out Renault and Peugot up to six month lease programs. The Lunigiana area, where we live, is well located for some of the things you mention. Cinque Terra, Pisa, Parma, beaches, all within a couple of hours drive or less. Florence, Bologna, a little longer. Good luck and have a good time. 

You might have a look at Fivizzano and environs in Lunigiana. It is 30-40 minutes from the autostrada at Aulla on a well maintained “highway.”  About 1.5 hour drive from Pisa airport. It is a fortress city, historical, good medical facilities including a hospital, etc., a train depot in another village a few miles away, good bus service, a number of restaurants, bars, including Elvetica which hosts the English book library, Oxfam English library and store, active Expat community, small “supermarket,” gas station, a pharmacy, bank, and a number of small shops. An ideal location for someone who wants to be out of the tourist traffic, yet not too far from "civilization."  Had we been able to find a suitable property when we were looking, we would have bought in Fivizzano. They also have an extensive market in the square every Tuesday, I think.  There is a wide range of properties; from city apts. to town houses, to detached houses with small land areas just outside town, and some estate type properties with vineyards, boscos, etc. in the general area.  Check out properties at Lunigiana2000.comIt is just below the mountain range that has a fairly good ski resort. Not sure of winter snowfall ,in town, if any, or temps. Maybe someone from there might weigh in on that subject.Good luck,Fred 

I am currently going through the LA Consulate for citizenship via the jure sanguinis process and agree with those who do not think the use of an attorney is of any benefit unless there are certain aspects of your application outside the "norm." The one thing I can advise on is to be sure all of your data is correct in every detail prior to application. You will be in a small waiting room and called to a window like a bank teller's booth. You submit your docs, they are perused and then taken to some back room. Later, the clerk returns with a receipt for your payment and a list of any mistakes, descrepancies, etc. for you to rectify and then resubmit. As an example, my father's middle name on my parents wedding license was written as "Tilio" instead of "Attilio" as it should have been. This requires me to apply to the State of California for an amended marriage license, another apostille, and another translation.So proofread your submittals and then proofread again. Good luck.jure sanguinisjure sanguinis