🇮🇹 Winter is Coming ❄️ Let’s Get You Ready For it in Italy!
When a chill hits the air, it's a great time to be in Italy! We’ve got all your Italian winter tips, a buying property check list, a “freebee” to get you closer to your dream of living in Italy ➕ more
Is Jack Frost Nipping at Your… Desire to be in Italy? “Parka” it Right Here!
Once we hit December, Mother Nature starts letting us all know that a change is in the air – a change for the chilly! The first flakes in Italy have fallen and the temperatures are set to drop soon and not rebound for months.
The ski slopes are about to hit full speed in the Alps and holiday markets are tapping tent poles into the ground.
Honestly, Italy is AMAZING in the winter. When everyone thinks of the great tour around Italy, hitting all the big sights, that vision usually takes place in warm, sunny weather.
But... Italy shines in the winter. It’s a great time to visit. The crowds are way more manageable and tourist areas that in summer teem with bodies are wide open spaces. Who wants to wait on a line when you can walk into the “hot” spots in winter? Sure, it can be cold to walk around (but very rarely does it get to the “biting” definition of cold in most of the country). If you ever visit a city like Venice — normally crushed with tourists — in mid-winter, you won’t believe the ease of sightseeing it can offer. (Also, just to say it, is walking through throngs in Rome in 100-degree weather in summer any better?!)
Aside from world class skiing up north, most towns literally light up for the holiday season. Dazzling displays line the streets. And the locals have good cheer, as they say! Markets abound, festivals pop up left and right, hearty winter specialties dominate restaurant menus, and hot beverages replace spritzes — what’s not to like?
Lastly, let’s get to the bottom line: Visiting Italy in winter can save you a pretty penny! Flights and accommodations are often much cheaper. That alone is a reason to consider the off-months as your time to jump.
During this changing of the seasons, Per Te thought it would be a good time for a refresher on rules and recommendations to keep you warm and safe. Let’s dig in…
6 Things to Check Before Buying Your Dream Home in Italy
The best advice I heard from an agent to a foreign buyer in Italy was “Take everything you know about real estate in the US and throw it out the window. This is Italy, and everything is totally different.”
Truer words are rarely spoken!
The buying process in Italy is complicated and notoriously slow, but it can also be risky if you do not have someone to guide you. This is true for almost everything in life, if you are in an unfamiliar process and it involves money, the risks increase.
Italian property prices can range from very low (only a few thousand euros) to multi-million-euro villas, but what all have in common, is the buying process and checks that must be completed to ensure it is a safe purchase.
Here are the six things to check before buying your dream home in Italy.
1. Have a Building Inspection and Survey
Just like you would in your home country, it is a good idea to have a building inspection completed to ensure the property is structurally sound. This is standard in most countries, but not in Italy. In fact, almost no one does them and owners hate them.
You should have a full property survey which consists of structural and non-structural inspection, that also includes plumbing, electric, heating, and gas system analysis. It is similar to a home inspection in the US, but with a structural and seismic analysis included. Additionally, you need to have a full legal conformity check of the property to make sure that all of the works and existing structures comply with the laws.
Often, you will find rooms built without proper permission. This can be simply an oversight by the owner or something they are trying to hide. If you buy a property that is not compliant with the local rules, it will be your responsibility to fix the issues, which can be an unexpected cost. The cost of a full building inspection with a documented survey is dependent on the size of the property, but they generally start around €1500.
2. Check The Ownership of The Property
Ask your estate agent to do a search of the current registered owners of the property and obtain the Visura to see the Cadastral Values and if there are any potential problems. There can be several owners (even some that were not aware of it) on the title, as well as tax debt. Some less-than-honest agents will list properties that may not even be for sale by all owners.
3. Confirm The Property is Vacant
This may seem simple enough, if there is no one in it, it’s vacant right? Not so fast. If you are buying a property that has an existing rental contract on it, you will inherit the tenants and be bound by the contract, and rental contracts are very difficult to break. Even if the property appears to be vacant, ensure that there are no existing rental contracts registered against it.
4. Check The Debts on The Property
It is common to find properties with outstanding debts or taxes left unpaid. This will show up on the Visura and when the Notary prepares the transfer of property. Ensure that there are no outstanding taxes or condo fee debts that are registered against the property. It will be your responsibility to pay them if you become the new owner.
5. Confirm What is Included in The Sale
If you are purchasing a furnished property, make sure you indicate exactly what is included and what isn’t. Often there will include an inventory list or photographs of each room. Do not forget that “unfurnished” can mean no kitchen, and unlike the rule in Canada that if it’s fixed to the wall it stays – in Italy, the owner can remove everything including light fixtures, bathroom fixtures, etc.
6. Get an Estimate of Closing Costs
The closing costs and taxes can vary depending on the property and the category it falls under. Luxury properties will have higher transfer taxes, as do second homes. The transfer tax will be included in the Notary fees as well as any additional document fees or taxes required to complete the sale. In addition, you will pay a commission to the estate agent that is usually around 4% of the purchase price.
Depending on the price, complexity, and details of the property, it can be in your best interest to budget for an Italian Property Lawyer to help you throughout the process. They will ensure that your purchase is protected and will be representing you from the beginning to close. A property lawyer is also able to advise you about tax options, estate planning, and other factors that can impact your property investment.
You should budget about 10% of the purchase price for closing costs and commissions.
Buying a home in any country is exciting but buying in Italy can often make you feel vulnerable, confused, nervous, frustrated, and suspicious of everyone. These are very common emotions to feel when you are experiencing fear, and fear is a normal emotion to feel when you are experiencing something new, and you don’t feel supported.
My best advice, besides ensuring you follow the above six things to check before you buy in Italy, is to have someone you trust by your side. This can be a friend, an advisor, or a foreign buyer’s estate agent. Just make sure it is someone who understands the buying process in Italy, speaks the language, and will welcome all your questions, big or small.
Buying a home in Italy is a big deal, regardless of your budget. You need to be sure that you are well-supported, informed, and guided safely throughout each step in the process. Because only then, you can feel like you’ve got the best price, the best terms, and the perfect house for you to share and enjoy with your friends and family for years to come.
On the Road Again, With Safety in Mind
Now here are a couple of tips for those readers who call Italy home or are seeking an extended stay.
Certain provinces and areas require special winter tires, but they’re not mandatory nationwide. If you see a sign that says, ‘obbligo di pneumatici invernali o catene a bordo’, you must have winter tires or snow chains (with you) to proceed.
The Aosta Valley and South Tyrol have this requirement and it varies slightly by date, but generally speaking, you’ll need them October 15 to April 15.
Keep in mind, your winter tires will likely have a lower speed index than your usual ones. It’s recommended to place a sticker on your dashboard showing the maximum speed. As for requirements, these tires must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm in Italy, but it’s best to seek a higher depth than this minimum amount. A specialist can advise you on which is best, based on your vehicle and usual destinations.
The Heat is On… If You Follow the Rules
We discussed this one a few weeks ago, but Italy implements heating restrictions in winter. The country is also transitioning to greener, more eco-friendly energy. While the nation’s most recent ‘green goals’ haven’t yet been met, it’s still a contributing factor.
No matter which zone you’re in (see the link above for details), it’s advised to shut off your radiators at night, whenever possible, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Heat should also be capped during the day at 18C (64F) in businesses, and 19C (66F) in households. Some facilities are exempted from these guidelines, such as nurseries and hospitals. In the case of an extreme drop in temperature, local authorities can adjust these guidelines accordingly.
At this point, it’s unclear how authorities will monitor that these rules are being followed. People living in apartment buildings will likely have less control over their heating systems, and many have automatic settings.
Aside from these parameters, there are some simple tips and tricks to try out during this time of the year:
Set a timer on your heating system – some systems allow you to set specific times/temperatures,
Have an old, drafty apartment? Insulate your windows with plastic sealant and doors with bottom draft-blockers. Also use heavier curtains in winter.
Now you’re all prepped and it’s time to settle in and get cozy. A hot cup of tea, a nip of amaro or an extra throw blanket on the couch don’t sound like bad ideas for a long winter’s night!
Ask Samantha Anything:
Ciao Samantha. We were planning to visit Florence this December with the goal of finding a rental to apply for our visa early next year. Is this a good time to search for property? Dierdra
Ciao Dierdra, Florence in December is magical! The entire city is lit up with Christmas decorations, buskers are on the streets and the energy is really high. It is one of my favorite times of the year in Italy, especially in Florence. Favorite to relax, drink wine, and be with friends that is - because getting anything done after Dec 8th is quite difficult.
If you’re planning to search and visit potential rental properties during the holidays (Dec 23 - Jan 6) you may end up short. Owners are generally not available for agents, and agents are generally not available for clients. You may get lucky and find a few that will help, but overall, this is not the best time to come to Italy with a task in mind.
Better times are after January 6th and up until June, staying clear of easter, summer, and other key Italian holidays. Also, remember that agencies are often closed on Saturdays, so you will need to get everything done during the weekdays.
Good luck and even if you don’t find your rental, enjoy the festivities!!
Spent Too Much This Weekend? Don’t Worry: We’ve Got More SMI “Freebees”
In a month where many budgets are busted, we’re continuing our series on the
“Freebees” Smart Move Italy offers to make your dream move to Italy go smoother and cost less.
Let’s start at the very beginning: What’s your motivation?
There are three phases to the process and seven key decisions you must make before you can truly consider yourself ready to jump into the exciting but daunting idea of putting down roots in the Bel Paese.
First, “Where are you in the process?”
I am still just thinking about moving to Italy
I have decided that I will move to Italy, but I’m not sure when or how
My bags are packed and I'm ready to roll!
And here are the seven key decisions you must make:
WHY… WHAT… WHEN… WHERE… BUDGET… TAXES… ROUTE…
These will all make more sense once you get a hold of our free handy guide and fill in the blanks along the way.
Ready to get started? We know you are! So download your free “7 Decisions” guide here!
Location Spotlight📍Barberino Tavarnelle, Chianti
Usually “buying the farm” is an idiom associated with… well, not a great outcome.
But buying a farmhouse in Tuscany – that’s a thing that many movies depict as a DREAM outcome!
In Barberino Tavarnelle, Chianti, awaits a former 19th century agricultural shed transformed into a contemporary residence. Complete with three bedrooms, a garden, and a large courtyard, this 1,500 sq. ft., €485,000 property is ideal for those seeking tranquility and proximity to Florence and Siena. A large bright living room overlooks the garden and is characterized by a large corner fireplace, made with local stone and ancient beams, giving it a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Want to see more? Subscribe to Vendita and get 30 property picks sent to you every Sunday. To subscribe via email, click here or join our Telegram channel.
And if you’re thinking about buying a property in Italy, you don’t have to do it alone! Book a free 10-minute property purchase discovery call here.
PerTe è finito for this week. But don’t forget — we always have lots more to share with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Also, keep sending your questions for “Ask Samantha Anything” to richard@smartmoveitaly.com.
As always, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto! 👋