HELLO AND WELCOME
Submitted by Gala Placidia on Sat, 06/20/2009 - 15:41
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Hello and welcome! I was hoping that somebody else was going to give you more accurate advice; however, it looks as I will have to start the ball rolling. Someone else may correct me if I am wrong.To start with, it is a bit difficult to advice without knowing much about the particular situation. There are legal and building considerations. Using a lawyer to make all investigations about the legal status of the property seems to be a good idea, particularly because you are dealing with a relative and it may be easier for you if another person points out any difficulties concerning the sale of the property. This is an area for either a lawyer or a notary public.There is no USA or UK equivalent to an Italian "geometra", the closest would be a surveyor, although it is just a similarity in some areas. The "geometra" has access to the Titles office and can obtain copies of those documents; however, I still believe that someone in the legal profession would be needed.As for the works to be carried out, it would be a good idea to ask the local comune who can submit plans, etc. There may be restrictions in the case of an old building and some of them are classified. It it is only a matter for some leaks in the roof to be fixed, a geometra can get workers to repair them; however, if there is a structural problem, a structural engineer may be needed. Contacting a local architect may be a solution as he/she could coordinate other professionals as well and you will be able to get a comprehensive project for not only the restoration of the building but also to better adapt it to modern living while maintaining original features.We are talking about several possibilities here and you need to know what you can do and how much it is going to cost you before you take the plunge.You should also have the place inspected to detect the presence of xylophagous insects (wood borers) such as termites, "tralli" and other little beasts.Also, a restoration project requires a lot of personal involvement and you may need to travel frequently to oversee that everything is done according to your wishes, unless you have someone, preferably a professional, who can look after your interests.From our own experience, we recently restored an old watermill in Tuscany, but then, my husband is a retired architect and we have done several similar projects in different countries. We do not live in Italy permanently, but we could travel there on a regular basis to oversee everything. We employed a local geometra to coordinate building trades, but all plans and specifications were prepared by my husband; consequently, we were in a better position than most people restoring a building. Also, the scope of the works was not very big as the previous owner had already done some work in it and, fortunately, he did not ruin the place.You have to keep in mind that restorations are generally expensive and you have to take this into account when deciding the purchase price. Check the value of similar properties in the area, both restored and unrestored before committing yourself.On the bright side, to restore an old building, particularly if it is your family's ancestral home, is a very rewarding experience. The rewards are intangible, don't expect material gains as these are difficult to obtain in this field; however, to see a place that belonged to your family come alive again is a reward in itself. The difference between a dream and a nightmare resides in careful planning.Best wishes with your project.
Thank you so much for your
Submitted by glassmaker1 on Sat, 06/20/2009 - 22:27
In reply to HELLO AND WELCOME by Gala Placidia
Thank you so much for your reply, and your welcoming me to the forum. I have been viewing posts and their replies, and I hoped (somehow I knew ) your reply would be first, or one of the first.Your reply is very informative, and naturally raises many questions, but I will take more time to organize my thoughts. I have no pretense of material gain on this endeavor. I realize that I have a strong emotional involvement, not the best position from which to invest. It is simply a thought that will not go away, so I will give it more investigative energy. My wife and I are mid career artists ( self employed in other words), and have some flexibility in our schedules. I feel we could allocate blocks of time to be on site. Again, I don't want to get ahead of myself.Many friends and associates with experience in similar matters have advised against the project. They paint a black and white picture of facts. I see many gray areas, which keep the possibility alive in my mind. I'm not giving up yet. We are very near San Francisco. Please feel free to notify us if you will be in the area.Thanks again for your reply and advice, and I will respond in the future with more specifics if that is ok with youPaul
agree mostly
Submitted by adriatica on Sun, 06/21/2009 - 03:58
In reply to Thank you so much for your by glassmaker1
with Gala that is... sensible and good advice...would add further if at this stage you are pretty serious about the property but only want to verify the legality of the title and any associated debts or neighbouring land problems it could be a wise choice to use a notary to do the preliminary checks...one reason is because they would almost be sure to carry it all out in the same way as if you were going to buy... highlighting any significant problems with an eventual purchase or planning concerns... plus make sure it was all registered legally or if not how to go about having this sorted before a final act...the benefit is that this cost would then be paid only the once... as if you use the same notary a lot of these costs which would have been left to the preparation of the final act will have already been paid...the other suggestions by gala all relate to structural problems and agree with her on those points and who to use... however the first step should be making sure the property is yours and your relative without encumbrance before any building checks
I FULLY UNDERSTAND YOU
Submitted by Gala Placidia on Sun, 06/21/2009 - 04:06
In reply to Thank you so much for your by glassmaker1
Paul, I fully understand you. My late father was a genealogist and artist (illuminations art - painting on parchment) and I was brought up in an environment where things such as ancestral homes and anything which used to belong to the family, such as furniture, paintings, photographs, etc. were and are treasured. There were a couple of ancestral homes that I would have loved to be able to restore; however, these were huge projects, classified buildings which are nowadays in the hands of the local government as it is impossible for an individual to tackle them. But I keep an eye on them, visit them whenever I can and I simply love them.In your case it looks as if you have a similar dream and it is within your reach. I would say.... go for it. Make all the enquiries needed to make sure that there are no major problems, both legal and structural, but try to go ahead with it if it is at all possible and within your means. As you say, it is not all black and white, there are many grey areas and through those you can find the light.I remember a house we purchased a few years ago in Granada (Spain) I must confess that at a certain stage we were concerned about our decision to buy. Our neighbours and the tradespeople who were working thought that we had gone mad as we started pulling down walls and opening up a house that was just a succession of little dark rooms. When it was all finished, they used to come to admire the new house. The granddaughter of the original owner came and cried.... we did not know how to react to this, but she simply said: "My granny loved this house but she would be so proud to see how beautiful it looks nowadays"Because of family circumstances, we had to move from the area and sell the house. We got back not only the money we invested in it, including all restoration and improvements and we also made a small profit. Much better than putting the money in the bank....We also had a great time with the project, particularly my husband as an architect. After this successful experience, we have continued doing this as a hobby. We enjoy the challenge, working together to achieve something tangible, finding furniture and fittings which will suit the style of the house.... it is a full time occupation, but a very enjoyable one. And being an ancestral home, the joy and the rewards are even bigger.I will send you a Private Message about our links with San Francisco.Best wishes and regards,
Geometra/ Architect
Submitted by SanG on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 18:15
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I agree with adriatica that a good local Notary will probably be the best person to deliver the necessary checks required. After that your single most important task is to employ a good Geometra or Architect. I would suggest that much of the work you are going to want to undertake will be specialised and it will be much better for you, albeit slower I'm afraid, to find individuals suited for each task rather than employ a firm of builders to perform all of the work. There is still a wealth of very skilled and reasonably priced stonemasons, plasterers and craftspeople etc in Italy and finding a Geometra or Architect who will renovate the place the way you want (ie not the way they want) and who have a history of such renovations and therefore contacts for specialists, will be an important task. I have moved here to Italy having renovated many old houses in England and Gala is right, the pleasure of such a task and then the pleasure of living there is something very worthwhile. I would also make sure that you spend time going from room to room and ensuring that you have a clear and consistent vision and specification, which you write down, for each room, hallway and other space. I have found that this brings a great deal of clarity to later problem solving and is also a very good diary of your efforts. If you intend to introduce central heating, new piping, new electrics, etc, etc, then make sure that this is accounted for in each space as well from the outset. I have made the mistake (sometimes costly) of not having done so in the past and have still failed to learn from that experience on later projects.Good luck in your project and I wish you well.
good luck
Submitted by myabruzzohome on Sun, 07/12/2009 - 14:54
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Good luck!Our restoration project has made me cry,scream beat my fists against the wall (all the time wishing it was the electritians head) BUT has bought me great joy and satisfaction.I look upon restoration as 'healing' a house and am daft enough to always say goodbye to my house whenever I come back to England.Its all in that peom by Kipling really - 'IF'...do you know it?If you can keep your head when all around you......