Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Italy Expat Forum

Real Estate Agents

New Topic Newest First
whidden39
  1/22/2015 12:28 EST

I am wondering how looking at properties works in Italy -- specifically Puglia. In the US, due to the multiple listing service all listings are shared by nearly all brokers. If one agent sells another's listing, the commission is shared. In this way you usually deal with one agent with whom you develop a close working relationship. Does Italy have a multiple listing service; or will it be necessary to deal with multiple brokers for the different properties I would want to see in different towns?

Sergios
  1/22/2015 12:49 EST

Can't answer that one directly. However I've seen the same listings on more than one website. If that helps.
I got my place thru my cousin and didn't need to do the realestate thing. We're moving next month, finally.

GeoBlueGeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

2cartalkers
  1/22/2015 12:53 EST

Big, general question; what is the overall real estate market like in Italy, up, down, sideways? Thanks!

marchelive
  1/22/2015 13:09 EST

I've been looking at properties with Italian realtors for the past couple years. I have my primary realtor who took me around to see the properties. With that said, there is no official MLS system. Often times I found the properties on my own using http://www.immobiliare.it That website is excellent. I would then tell my agent to arrange the viewing. However, there are many properties that are not on that website and can only be found by visiting the local listing agent. These agents don't share these listings because they almost never have exclusivity to the sale. Unlike the US. I've seen a realtor work with a couple for weeks only to lose that them to another agent with a property they wanted. There was no sharing of commission. For that reason many realtors will not share their listings. They will purposely not show photos of the front of the property or provide the address for fear the sale will be stolen. It's a terrible way to do business but it's the Italian way. I suggest locating your own local agent and use that website to assist your agent in finding properties. Good luck!

marchelive
  1/22/2015 13:17 EST

In general the market is way down but it really depends on the region. For instance, in Tuscany or Marche where the prices have always been high, you'll still pay top dollar for property. Location is key. I live near Senigallia in the region of Marche. A villa in Senigallia will easily go for $800k but if you go inland 8 kilometers, the prices drop 50%. Even further depending on the area. Btw, the concept of getting Comps (property value comparisons) is a joke. Pretty much non-existent because you have A LOT of people pricing there properties for unsuspecting foreigners.

2cartalkers
  1/22/2015 15:36 EST

Thanks for the info.

GeoBlueGeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

whidden39
  1/22/2015 18:36 EST

Your explanation was exactly what I needed. I have been bookmarking websites and viewing properties for the past ten years. So now at least I know that I'll have to deal with several agents. That's OK -- less efficient for me -- but OK. I just put my house on the market again in the US (last year's effort failed). I reduced the price and spiffed things up a bit. With the dollar's continuing strength against the euro I am very motivated to be in Italy later this year. Thanks for your useful reply. Tom

whidden39
  1/22/2015 18:41 EST

Am so happy for you, Sergios. You've been in this forum for a while now and I've learned a few things from you. Don't forget to check in when you're on the other side of the pond. We all need to continue to share our experiences. Buona fortuna!

Sergios
  1/22/2015 19:14 EST

Thanks Whidden, I will stay on. I will be going through the citizenship requisition process once I'm there. I also still need to get the residency visa. The appointment with the consulate is on 2/5/15. Not to mention getting my dog a passport too.
I ended up dropping the price on my house $50k to sell it. Figured it was better selling it lower than having to pay $3200 a month on mortgage and taxes. At least now the albatross has moved on to somebody else's neck.

Sergios
  1/22/2015 19:16 EST

Reacquisition

Jergirl
  1/23/2015 00:43 EST

Wow, looking at properties for 10 years! I like it. I was wondering if it made sense to look at houses online for my retirement in 3-4 years. At this stage it all seems like a fantasy to me, but I am one who follows her dreams. Good luck!

GeoBlueGeoBlue
Get Quote

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!

GeoBlueGeoBlue

GeoBlue is a trusted leader in international health insurance. Wherever your destination, GeoBlue can keep you and your family covered with the right health insurance. Get a GeoBlue Quote Today!
Get Quote

whidden39
  1/23/2015 10:19 EST

I have an identical situation. I dropped my house price by $55,000 and besides wanting to be in Italy ASAP (after planning a dozen years to do this), I will be saving a bundle not paying my mortgage, very high house insurance, and right now health insurance premiums. Today the euro is down to $1.11 -- that's a huge drop from a year ago. So, when buying a house in Italy, that could easily translate into tens of thousands in savings. And, prices have become much more negotiable from what I'm seeing. I hope my efforts are as successful as yours this year. Oh, I hav

whidden39
  1/23/2015 10:29 EST

Was going to say that I have a cat and I am making sure all shots and chip are taken care of. I want to get him into the cabin with me. A few airlines let you do that. So many details!

whidden39
  1/23/2015 10:36 EST

Jergirl, years of looking give you a better idea of what is possible. Also tells you where the market may be heading. It also gives you some idea of how things are done there and if you try reading in Italian, you'll pick up the real estate lingo that will help when you are actually there looking. If I hadn't been looking well advance, I wouldn't know that a hectare is 2 1/2 acres. A hectare is also 10,000 sq. meters. Also useful, 4,000 sq. meters equals one acre. And when looking at sq. meter measurements of interior space, multiplying by ten will approximate sq. feet.

Sergios
  1/23/2015 10:57 EST

23 pound dog is just above the cabin cutoff. He will never forgive me for putting him in the hold. It's bad enough he got his tag yesterday with a coffee stirrer sized needle.

marchelive
  1/23/2015 12:21 EST

Last summer we brought over our Yorkie from Dallas. He was too big to ride in the cabin (United Airways). We ended up using a Pet Travel Service. Primarily because we wanted to stay in New York for the 4th of July. His flight left Dallas a few days after ours. We beat him to Milan by a day. The next morning we went to Milpensa to clear Customs. OMG..it took forever! No lines yet it took us over 4 hrs. During that time we never saw him. He was so happy to see us when it was all over :)

maluza86
  1/24/2015 10:06 EST

Hey everyone!

We are on our third go-around with trying to purchase an apartment of villa here in San Vito Dei Normanni, Italy (Puglia).

We have used several realtors, just like others mentioned. We also found properties on the internet and asked our realtor to arrange a viewing, which he did reluctantly. So you will need a combination strategy and a lot of legwork by yourself.

We originally wanted to buy an attic apartment in a condo in a small town just north of San Vito Dei Normanni...5km. Which all our San Vito friends said "all the way in Carovigno!!" ha, ha ha...much different mentality here.

Anyway, we are on our third attempt, in San Vito and looks like this one is going to go through. In the past year we've secured a mortgage from an international bank...Barclay's...they've been amazing to deal with...and i've got my permesso di soggiorno and residency now, so we are good.

Also, we brought our two small cockapoo dogs with us, on the airplane. We opted to fly direct from JFK to Rome and not deal with any connections renting a car in Rome and driving the four hours to San Vito Dei Normanni. Alitalia was great and even let us take the dogs out of their little kennels for awhile. The other thing to remember when traveling with pets is the limited time to get the USDA stamp on your paperwork and travel. There is an actual USDA office at JFK that I was able to hand carry the paperwork, get it stamped and travel five days later, without dealing with FEDEX or overnighting paperwork from a vet to the nearest USDA office. More to think about. However, after dotting all the I's and crossing all the T's no one checked our paperwork or even looked at the dogs...in JFK or Rome!! Go figure. If anyone wants any more info on any of these things, send me a PM. We've been here 1 year tomorrow, and love every minute of it...and my Italian is coming along quite well...

maluza86
  1/24/2015 10:12 EST

I forgot to mention the overall economy/market. With the latest dumping of Euro's on the market by the Swiss Bank, the Exchange rate between the Euro and the dollar is the lowest it's been in 12 years and looks like it will continue to decline. When we arrive last January it was $1.39 to 1 Euro, now it's $1.14 to the Euro...so essentially on a 200,000 Euro Condo, we are saving over $50,000! Great news for those of us who get pensions in dollars!!

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlueGeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in Italy GuideLiving in Italy Guide

Expats in Italy discuss the pros and cons of living in Italy. From bureaucracy to expensive cities, Italy can be a challenge. Most expats find that the amazing food, charming countryside, beautiful beaches and public healthcare make up for the cons.

Italy Forum Italy Forum
Join our Italy forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Italy.

Contribute to Italy Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Italy.

Best Places to Live in Italy Best Places to Live in Italy

If you're considering a move to Italy, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Italy in 2023.

Healthcare in ItalyHealthcare in Italy

An overview of the healthcare system in Italy - public and private hospitals, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), getting your Tessera Sanitaria (healthcare card), Covid-19 entry requirements, vaccinations for Italy, prescription medication availability and more.

Cost of Living in ItalyCost of Living in Italy

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Italy.

Moving to ItalyMoving to Italy Guide

Expats moving to Italy envision a romantic lifestyle in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. However, it is important to make sure that you do comprehensive research and fully understand what it will mean to move to the city, town or village you choose.

Real Estate in ItalyReal Estate in Italy

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Italy.

Pros Cons of Living in ItalyPros & Cons of Living in Italy

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Italy.

Retiring in ItalyRetiring in Italy

Advice for people retiring in Italy.

Visa and Residency ItalyItaly Visa & Residency Guide

Expats share their experiences obtaining residency in Italy. They discuss the ins and outs of the applying for the permesso di soggiorno, recent travel issues, permanent residency in Italy and more.

10 Tips for Living in Italy10 Tips for Living in Italy

If you've recently arrived in Italy, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Italy.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlueGeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute to Italy Network Contribute
Help others in Italy by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Italy.

Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal