Tosca Bella ~ properties in Tuscany

The first rule of buying property abroad is doing your homework.

The time spent deciding in your own mind exactly what you are looking for is as important as any other part of the buying process. So what are the sort of questions you should be asking yourself? Well, the first is in which part of Italy do you want to buy your property.

In recent years many foreign buyers have opted for Tuscany or Umbria, areas in the north of Italy. This has meant that property prices in these areas have risen to reflect the increased demand. Properties in the south of the country tend to be cheaper but remember that facilities and communications in the south are not always as developed as central or northern Italy. It may be wise to seek out new areas such as Emilia Romagna, an area of outstanding beauty where bargains are still to be had. You may be seeking a lakeside villa further north in or a seaside residence at the other end of the country in Sicily.

You should also consider if you wish your new home to be in an area that already has a high concentration of British ex-patriots, or would you rather experience a more authentic Italian experience. Wherever you choose, make sure the area matches up to your ideal. Remember - fit the area and the property to your criteria not the reverse!

The second consideration is the type of property you wish to purchase.

Italian properties come in all shapes and sizes and refining your property requirements now will avoid pointless trips to view unsuitable properties in the future. Here are some of the points you should consider:
• What type of property are you looking for; a more traditional property such as a stone farmhouse, a new villa or an apartment

• Will it be a holiday home or are you planning to live there all year round

• What size of property are you looking for? Remember in Italy house details not only give the number of bedrooms and bathrooms etc but also include the total floor space in metres. Older properties may only specify floor areas.

• Are you looking for a property that includes other buildings such as barns or stables? These are often included with farmhouses and can be converted in further living accommodation for yourself or for guests. This is also a good way of making your purchase pay for itself; a converted barn for example, can be rented out.

• Do you want a property ready to live in or would you consider buying and restoring a property. If you are thinking about buying to restore you should also take in account the cost of restoration and who will do the work. Have you the time to do the restoration yourself? Or will you need help locally to manage the work in your absence. Your agent will be able to put you in contact with reputable tradesmen and builder’s merchants but always remember to get a number of estimates for the work. Estimate the cost of restoration and make sure you can afford it; you do not want to end up with a half restored Italian place in the sun! Again the agent should be able to help you when estimating restoration costs. Low cost loans are available from the regional government, if your property is of outstanding architectural significance. Your agent will advise on how to apply for such a grant.

• Do you want land with your property and if so how much. Land can offer an extra dimension to your purchase and is an investment for the future. Many farmhouses come with land and at the moment it is relatively cheap. Don’t forget also, that one day in the future, you may wish to extend your property or even plant your own vineyard.

• Are you thinking or renting out the property, if so is it suitable for renting. If you do wish to rent it is advisable to have a property, which offers something for everybody and preferably all year round. Look for areas where you can rent out to skiers in the winter, there are always people wishing to rent in summer. If the area has other attractions such being a noted place for cycling, climbing or has panoramic beauty, this too will help to secure a steady flow of rental income.

• Do you see the property as an investment? If so, like all investments buy cheap and sell high. Therefore you should be looking at areas that are as yet undiscovered by the wider world but where prices are still relatively cheap. You may consider combining with friends in order to secure the right property but which is out of your individual budget.

• Another aspect to be considered is accessibility and facilities. Is the area that you have chosen well served by airports, which offer cheap flights from the U.K? Can you get to your property on well-maintained asphalt roads? Is there a nearby rail station and local bus services? What about facilities? Is the area well served by hospitals, doctors and, for those with children, schools?

Once you have decided on the above you will need to select specific properties to view.

Many agencies now work via the Internet and you will be able to use this to your advantage. If you see a property you like, you can, via email, ask as many questions as you wish about it, and depending on the quality and timeliness of the replies from the agency, you will have an idea as to the quality of the service you can expect to receive. Also make sure that the Italian representatives speak English that the agency can book accommodation for you, advise you on local places to eat during your stay and places of interest you may wish to visit. Also you should ask how much time the representatives will spend with you. Many people, on their first visit to an area, are trying to get a feel for the place in addition to viewing properties ; they may not be actually planning to buy on that particular occasion. Make sure your appointment will allow plenty of time to view all your selected properties and a trip around the area otherwise you may be left to your own devices with little help form the agency’s representatives.

Having decided on a property you will need to ascertain the following:

The following points are worth noting in respect of the purchase:

This is not a complete guide but rather some general advice on finding a property in Italy, in the end you will have to do your own homework and there are plenty of websites, books, magazines and journals to ensure you get your perfect Italian home.