What is important to know for Americans interested in purchasing property in Italy?

Question

What is important to know for Americans interested in purchasing property in Italy?

Answer 1

I agree with the above answers, everything takes longer than they say it will.  Everything involves a lot of changes and red-tape and confusion.  Things are a lot more personal than in the US.  It's not just a quick business transaction (write the contract, sign the deal) like it is in the US.

Answer 2

hello! first, you have to know that you must have a lot of patience! Italian burocracy is very slow and it's sad to say (I'm Italian, live in Tuscany) that people tell you: "don't worry, you will have all this fixed in a couple of weeks", but this "couple of weeks" can be also a couple of months! I love my country but yes, one has to be patience and don't have to expect the same efficiency that you can find in other countries. at the end I think it's worth of it because Italy is such an extrordinary country. for business I met many people from abroad that bought or want to buy a house in Tuscany, it wasn't so easy, but they are very happy now! so, good luck and enjoy Italy.

Answer 3

be ready to face bureaucracy the way you HAVE NEVER faced it before, also be ready to see lots of corruption.

Answer 4

These sites should get you started. I rent instead of buying here. There's a lawyer's fee to register the contract every year, but no significant tax implications like there would be if I owned property here.

http://www.keyitaly.com/article/how-to-b...

http://www.seeyouinitaly.com/buyinginita...

http://www.property-abroad.com/italy/buy...

http://www.justlanded.com/english/italy/...

Answer 5

Your best bet is to ask John Murphy: http://www.informer.it/