gerardandrew007

I have some general questions about buying in Italy. I have been looking at European real estate recently. And one of the countries that has been tempting is Italy. My mom is trying to discourage me with regards to buying property in Europe as we are Americans and Europe is very far. Money is not an issue, but she has concerns with regards to the danger and risks involved. She is afraid that if something goes wrong we cannot simply fly there to check things out. She is also concerned with burglaries and vandalism. She says that since people know we are foreigners, and we aren't always there people will take advantage like breaking in or even staying in our unit without us knowing it. She keeps telling me that if I put in money in a place to be prepared to lose it. She is also concerned that since we are foreigners and there is a language barrier we will get fooled or scammed. What are the chances of things going wrong? Is it practical for an American to own property in Italy? My mom makes it seem like this is something very unusual and that only multimillionares engage in and certainly not your regular everyday citizens. Although I have been looking at real estate values and there are certainly properties out there that are within our price range. I would appreciate your opinions/advice/feedback.

ShopAround

You might want to try posting here: www.expatsinitaly.com

It's a great website with tons of information for anyone moving to, or considering moving to Italy.

slawecki

forget it if you consider continuing to live around mum. she will make your life hell.

jbcarioca

It is dangerous to buy property in Italy for an American. there are several reasons:
1) you'll become accustomed to fine wine at reasonable prices,
2) you'll never go to Olive garden again,
3) you'll begin speaking with hand movements,
4) you'll not accept Starbucks as coffee any more,
5) you will not want to return to where ever you are in the USA
Further,
1) you'll be utterly frustrated with real estate bureaucracy,
2) you'll not ever understand how to get workers to do what you ask

Finally,

you'll love it all!

I have a house in Italian-dominated France, twenty minutes from the border. I am deeply addicted to that part of France and to Italy. Thus, I am biased.

Forget about your mother and get on with your life!

TheAAdmiral

Bravo(a)^

ivk5

+1

Non-NonRev

Just out of curiosity, where in Italy are you contemplating making a purchase?

gerardandrew007

I was looking at Abruzzo or Calabria, and probably Sicily but I am now decided on just traveling there when I have the opportunity.

JohnWM

Contrary to what the other posters have told you, gerardandrew007, you should be very wary of buying property overseas. As your mother has rightly reminded you, you will be a foreigner who is an absentee property owner. Your property rights will not be respected, you will be at the mercy of every con artist, squatters will follow your movements & break in during your frequent absences; moreover, you will not be able to fly over every so often to check up on things. Remember, it's not like flying to Florida or Arizona or the Poconos for the weekend.

jbcarioca

Sad to hear such views. Foreign property rights are well respected in most of Europe including Italy. EU standards on such things are clear. In fact, there has been much EU uproar about a couple Spanish provinces that did not honor private property rights, demanding changes. So, you needn't panic about that one.

Obviously absentee ownership is a different matter than being a full time resident and cautions are needed, as they are anywhere you might have a second residence. There are many reputable property managers who are specialists in managing properties for part-time residents throughout Italy and other parts of Europe.

When you become seriously interested you can ask here again or elsewhere and can probably get some recommendations for where ever you need them.

tyn

Is this based on personal experience or just some broad generalization based on horror movies?!

I am an absentee property owner, not a foreign one I'll grant you that, but it takes me less time to fly to NY than to reach my property in the South of Italy so I only go there on long holidays

Not sure what you mean by con artists in this context, but squatters are unheard of in Italy except in big big cities tenement houses. Break-ins can happen, but that's a risk you have to factor in even when you reside there all year round.

There are property managers to take care of things like jbcarioca says or you can befriend some local and ask them to keep an eye on things for you in exchange for a fee.

FlyingHoustonian

Well I own property in Sicilia and have no problems, but I speak Italian (and am learning Sicilianu for that matter) and am used to things not working like "in the states" or Germanic countries.

I highly suggest doing it, but if you have no connection at all, it would be good to have a local/insider to help. I would not suggest going it alone in Sicilia.

Good luck!

Ciao,
FH

Hubertus

I am from Italy (Milan), I would be delighted to help / provide you with any useful information in this respect.
Ciao

Maria Troiano

Fantastic answers about the 'dangers' of buying property in Italy! There is nothing to worry about and if anyone purchases the property can be managed by a reputable company. If the property is in a lovely area of Italy then one can also rent it out for holiday lets, whilst you are not using it.