Both because in English (unless you are dealing with a major city, and, even then...) and also because a lot of agents simply don't want to waste their time with someone not likely to actually follow through on a purchase/rental contract.

It's honestly not an easy situation to deal with.

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Doppio,
I don't quite understand, how can the agents tell which potential customer will "follow" ?
Especially these-days when market is slow..

Gongi

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gongi, I suspect that the problem is more the language barrier. My real estate agent in Abruzzo speaks no English, and I mean no English whatsoever. (Nor does the notaio I used, nor do the workmen I am going to employ for the renovations, nor do the people at the comune with whom I had to register my presence, sign up for recycling bins, etc.) That is very common throughout Italy. Even if the person understands what you are writing, the prospect of having to deal in the future with a person who speaks no Italian is probably too daunting and thus he or she doesn't answer. I thought you had found a tourist apartment to stay in? Perhaps the best thing for you to do, once you are "on the ground," is to personally visit the agencies that have the apartments you are interested in and, as soon as you walk in the door, ask if there is someone there who speaks English. Or else take an Italian-speaking friend or an interpreter along with you. Good luck!

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10abuse

Although it is not perfect, nor even very good, use your computer to translate your letters and send both versions.

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I've written emails in Italian and rarely receive a reply. I don't know why, but it seems to be a common situation. I've had, of course, immediate respones when I telephoned.

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We have had the same situation where we have rarely heard back. We did get an e-mail from one several months after we had come to Italy and then returned to the States. We always write in Italian. There have been a few that are "in gamba" but they are few and far between. We were able to set up a few showings before arrival with them. The other problem we have had is that no one has really listened to what we are looking for, even when we provided a very detailed list. We have even been shown a bed and breakfast even though we make it clear that was not what we were looking for. We plan on continuing our search once we move over.

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10abuse

Agents get tons of emails from people outside Italy making inquiries. They just don't want to bother, especially if you add in the language difficulties.

Show up at their doorstep however and they will make a very serious effort to work with you.

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Ciao Doppio,

We have made contact with one or two who have made somewhat of an effort, of the 8 or so whom we have met. Two have maintained contact with us after we returned to the States but they are the rare exception. Before we came over last fall, we e-mailed our requirements and then followed up by phoning once we were in Italy. Several just wanted us to drive the 40 minutes or so to their office. We asked them to email us a list of what they had that was suitable but they did not do so. We have found that quite a few were simply wasting our time and theirs as they really did not have anything of interest. We didn't want to waste any precious time sitting in an office and having nothing of interest to offer.

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We had a similar experience before we moved to Italy in 2014...writing agents in Italian about properties we found on the web. We also had an agent who we gave a list of requirements to that showed us a lot of other houses as well.

Unlike in the US, there is no MLS so agents only know/show the properties that are listed with them and don't make much effort to deal with other agencies/properties.

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Italians never respond to voicemails and Italian real estate agents rarely answer emails (for all the reasons already stated). I must have been lucky dealing with the four agents I used in Puglia. All spoke some English in a region where little English is spoken. It's important to say specifically what you liked or didn't like about each property. Be sure to say what is absolutely necessary -- a particular location, a swimming pool, etc. Finally one property had my name on it, and I wasted no time. 28 months later, I have my slice of heaven as I dreamed.

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If they want the business they will find a way to communicate. I found that the agent who showed me my preferred property couldn't speak english after I had emailed her. (she got translations from her attorney daughter) She had her on the phone while doing the showing, she brought a translator when I came back to view 2 months later and she consistently answered every question in a super prompt manner. Language is no barrier. Don't accept less than great service. It starts at the get go.

I had little patience because I am a realtor!

I also viewed with a realtor who was extremely cultivated and spoke beautiful english. Service however didn't compare to my non english speaking realtor.

This is in Puglia.

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I suggest posting here about what area you were interested in purchasing in... that way maybe someone who knows the area can give your contact info personally to a reputable english- speaking agent. I could help you out in the Vasto, Abruzzo area, for instance... I am from the US and have lived here for years. A good friend of mine is a reputable real estate agent so I could ask them to send you some info based on what you are looking for.

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