Hi, I'm new to the forum and am very interested in the discussions about property prices in Italy. We have been looking in Chieti Provice in Abruzzo and in Molise.
Thanks Barry, that's really good advice for anyone, no matter where they are buying.So far I have been dealing direct with two large local agents. We have been very clear on our requirements (I'm a spreadsheet junkie) and have fed them details of some properties they are handling which LOOK interesting online. Positive results from both of them in that they have pointed out some negatives with our possible choices, given lots more detail and suggested other possibilities. Have not yet come accross a property listed and have them tell me it's not for sale. And we have kept a careful eye on multi agent listings.By and large they have both kept within our budget and requirements and have several times stressed that a property price is open to negotiation. With the number of properties available (we have a long list of about 35) I think most of them will be very negotiatable. As a serial house renovator (15 in 20 years) I know there is no such thing as a perfect house. There will always be another. If we don't find one this trip, there's always next year, or renting, as Steve pointed out.Anyway as you say, it's about chemistry and having faith in the agent. We will see in 3 weeks.
Don't blush, there are quite a few people on this forum think your advice is worth more than tuppence!Seriously though, I'm glad you don't think we are compeltely bonkers. Abruzzo is a fairly new concept to us but the more we read about it the more we feel it's like Umbria was in the mid to late 90's when we first spent lots of time there.A house in a small hill town is exactly what we are looking at. We live on a small farm in Australia, but village life is what we crave when in Italy. Thanks for the advice about condition (and especially the adjoining house/s bit). Although we are looking or a house where the structural work has been done, an expert inspection is alway a safe thing before one commits.We are renting in Vasto for a couple of months from October so hopefully that will give us time to sort out which areas we like and see some likely properties. I have made contact with Immobiliere, ABrusso Rural Property and will try Vignaverde as suggested by someone on the forum. Any other agents names would be appreciated.
Thanks, Steve, for your detailed reply. Yes, as a first post it's difficult to know how much detail to put it in. I have been reading various blogs and forums for a couple of years but this is the first time I have ever posted.We are Australian and semi retired. 10 years ago we spent 9 months living in Umbria, near Umbertide doing freelance work mostly in the UK.We would have loved to buy a holiday house then, but family and finances precluded it. Since then we have visited Italy almost every year and now our circumstances have changed,for the past couple of years have been seriously looking for a house to use 6 months of the year as a "lock and leave." We soon realised Umbria is now out of our price range and, as it's easy to fly into Rome from austalia, Abruzzo seems like a good choice. We have been on the verge of making an offer twice, both times after consulting our Australian Italian speaking property lawyer who specialises in Italian purchases. In fact one of those houses we had been following for 6 months online and saw it in June this year. We are back in Italy in October and November, this time staying in Abruzzo, hence my interest in the forumThanks also for the tip about Molise, I didn;t realise the rainfall was a problem, but as a couple living off the grid here (Solar power, bottled gas, lots of water tanks) we would not be averse to putting in a rainwater tank, given the right property and Commune permission.
Comments posted
Thanks Barry, that's really good advice for anyone, no matter where they are buying.So far I have been dealing direct with two large local agents. We have been very clear on our requirements (I'm a spreadsheet junkie) and have fed them details of some properties they are handling which LOOK interesting online. Positive results from both of them in that they have pointed out some negatives with our possible choices, given lots more detail and suggested other possibilities. Have not yet come accross a property listed and have them tell me it's not for sale. And we have kept a careful eye on multi agent listings.By and large they have both kept within our budget and requirements and have several times stressed that a property price is open to negotiation. With the number of properties available (we have a long list of about 35) I think most of them will be very negotiatable. As a serial house renovator (15 in 20 years) I know there is no such thing as a perfect house. There will always be another. If we don't find one this trip, there's always next year, or renting, as Steve pointed out.Anyway as you say, it's about chemistry and having faith in the agent. We will see in 3 weeks.
Hi Attessa, thanks for the reminder. I had looked at them months ago but had forgotten all about them.
Don't blush, there are quite a few people on this forum think your advice is worth more than tuppence!Seriously though, I'm glad you don't think we are compeltely bonkers. Abruzzo is a fairly new concept to us but the more we read about it the more we feel it's like Umbria was in the mid to late 90's when we first spent lots of time there.A house in a small hill town is exactly what we are looking at. We live on a small farm in Australia, but village life is what we crave when in Italy. Thanks for the advice about condition (and especially the adjoining house/s bit). Although we are looking or a house where the structural work has been done, an expert inspection is alway a safe thing before one commits.We are renting in Vasto for a couple of months from October so hopefully that will give us time to sort out which areas we like and see some likely properties. I have made contact with Immobiliere, ABrusso Rural Property and will try Vignaverde as suggested by someone on the forum. Any other agents names would be appreciated.
Thanks Niko, I've bookmarked Marco's site for when we get serious about a property.
Thanks, Steve, for your detailed reply. Yes, as a first post it's difficult to know how much detail to put it in. I have been reading various blogs and forums for a couple of years but this is the first time I have ever posted.We are Australian and semi retired. 10 years ago we spent 9 months living in Umbria, near Umbertide doing freelance work mostly in the UK.We would have loved to buy a holiday house then, but family and finances precluded it. Since then we have visited Italy almost every year and now our circumstances have changed,for the past couple of years have been seriously looking for a house to use 6 months of the year as a "lock and leave." We soon realised Umbria is now out of our price range and, as it's easy to fly into Rome from austalia, Abruzzo seems like a good choice. We have been on the verge of making an offer twice, both times after consulting our Australian Italian speaking property lawyer who specialises in Italian purchases. In fact one of those houses we had been following for 6 months online and saw it in June this year. We are back in Italy in October and November, this time staying in Abruzzo, hence my interest in the forumThanks also for the tip about Molise, I didn;t realise the rainfall was a problem, but as a couple living off the grid here (Solar power, bottled gas, lots of water tanks) we would not be averse to putting in a rainwater tank, given the right property and Commune permission.