If you are overwhelmed by purchasing property in Italy you have come to the right place! We are here to both find you a beautiful home, whether for vacation or permanent residence and help you through every step of the process. Our team includes the Architect/Builder, an American contact and an Italian contact all working together to bring your dream of Italy home.

Finding a Home
Since we work directly with the Architect/Builder there are always wonderful properties for you to choose from. We can arrange private tours of the property, and plans so that you find the perfect home it an ideal location.

The Compromesso
After you have found your dream house you sign a private contract, called compromesso (preliminary sale or purchase agreement similar to a binder in the US). It is a written sales agreement between the buyer and seller laying out the terms of the sale such as price, payment schedule, and date for the completion of the transfer of the property. As a guarantee to the seller a deposit usually between 10 and 20% of the price will be paid. If the buyer backs out of the agreement for reasons not covered in the compromesso the deposit is non refundable. If the seller backs out of the agreement he must pay you DOUBLE the deposit (caparra in Italian)

Closing
Completion of the purchase takes place in presence of a public notary (Notario), who is authorized by the Ministry of the Internal Affairs. He/she also records the purchase in all of the necessary Italian offices, witnesses the transfer of title from the seller to the buyer and collects the taxes due on the transaction. The Notario signs the deed after the parties and thus he/she certifies and grants the transfer of title from the seller to the buyer.

In addition the Notario researches all the documents of the property to be sure that this property is free from mortgage and any liens, that it is a legal structure and that no-one else has any right to the property (similary in the US to a Title Search).

If you do not speak Italian the Notario Certificate will be translated and read to you in English. Both parties will then sign the document and then the Notario will sign officially transferring the property from the seller to the buyer. After the documents are signed the buyer will pay the balance of the property cost plus State taxes and Notario fees.

Taxes and Notario Fees
Each property is different, we will help you determine what these costs will be in advance so that you know exactly what is expected.

In general the buyer of a vacation home has to pay 10% of the fiscal value (it is multiplied by a coefficient established by the State; in general it is as a half of the real preliminary price).

The buyer of a full-time residence has to pay 3% (if you want to change move to Italy within 18 months of the purchase). It is necessary to present a residential permit to the municipality (it is not difficult to receive it, it can take some time so it is better to begin well in advance of the actual purchase).

The buyer of a villa has to pay taxes at 10% of the fiscal value.

The buyer of a farm-house (country-house with garden and land, vineyard, olive-grove) has to pay taxes at 18% of the fiscal value.

The fee for the Notario usually ranges between 2-3% of purchase price.