New to property owning in Italy

06/06/2009 - 13:54

We have our fingers crossed that it might actually happen - we might overcome all the problems, and finally buy our place in Italy.  We are at the stage where we have signed the proposta and are trying to iron out the many, many problems, concerned with buying into a condominium.  The Italian vendor just does not understand our caution prior to setting out the compromesso, and is losing patience.  We have an Italian/English avvocato, who is great for translations, but the problems do not get any smaller!All being well, we should move into our apartment in Villafranca by end July, and then we will have decide whether it was all worth it - the cost, the headaches, and the uncertainties.  One of us is doing well with the Italian language, and the other one of us (!) has just got the Linguaphone tapes from the Library.  It's only going to be a holiday home, but who knows, we may get hooked.  Retirement is just around the corner,We have chosen Villafranca in Lunigiana for its communication stengths - close to autostrada, railway station, shops, Pisa Airport and the Ligurian coastline.  We should not run out of places to explore as we're not sitting in the sun people - (at least he's not and I am trying to believe I'm not either!).  Just as well really, as we could not afford an old stone house in the hills with swimming pool in the gardern with magnificent view, unless we sell the house at home.   Never mind, the Villasport swimming complex is very close,If the purchase goes through, then we wil be looking for lots of tips and advice from others on this forum.Watch this space, and I''ll let you know if the purchase progresses.

Comment

HI, welcome to the Community. It is normal to be a bit anxious at first; however, having a lawyer looking after you should make things easier.I invite you to join our "Northern Tuscany" group which will have plenty of useful nformation about the area. And if you have any questions, simply ask. I'm sure that there will be quite a few answers.Best wishes with the purchase and please, keep us informed. 

In reply to by Gala Placidia

I have to say we are not anxious about buying in Italy or the unknown ..... all that makes for an exciting project.  Our concerns at the moment involve flooded garages, crumbling balconies, leaking terraces, out of order lift, and costs hard to pin down.  Otherwise the apartment is lovely ...... we really like it!!!!  A bargain!

We are up in the hills behind your prospective property - above Licciana. The trick we have learned is become more Italian and do not get phased by anything. It will all happen when it happens!! All are helpful here - and never be afriad to ask - however simple the question - trust me we've all been there and will be again I am sure.

Welcome to this Italian Forum, Im sure you will find lots of answers here on the forum. Keep up with the Italian language tho!!  The Italians love us to try & speak their wonderful language! Im slowly progressing!!

In reply to by cilla10

cilla10 said: "The Italians love us to try & speak their wonderful language! "Sarà bello parlare in Italiano! Let's try and post messages in Italian under the Italian language topic!  

all the best with your new place, we bought an apartment near Lucca a year ago and haven't looked back since. One of the unexpected benefits we find is the way all the worries and travails of a hectic London life seem to dissipate the moment we arrive (somewhat assisted by Campari I must admit!)If you are intending to fly to Pisa by Easyjet you may want to consider getting an Easyjet Credit card, use it for all your usual expenditure in the UK then pay it off each month. You'll build up Easyjet airmiles which automatically give you cash credits on Easyjet flights when you book them using the card. We 've managed to get a few free flights this way